Services

The Department operates an open referral system, which allows the general public to have the best possible access to services delivered. Referral can be made by contacting the SLD or any other outlet of service provision. Referrals to other professionals are also made directly by the Speech Language Pathologists.

Services in the community are offered from all health centres and various district clinics to ensure service user access. Domiciliary visits are organised to service users who have mobility difficulties.

 

Speech language services are offered in hospitals where SLPs are committed to help people to communicate to the best of their abilities and swallow safely. Intervention in an interdisciplinary team aims to maximise the communication potential of their service users by identifying, modifying and enriching their communicative environment. Services are also provided in long stay institutions & elderly homes.

 

For school aged children, intervention may be provided in mainstream schools and resource centres  if closer liaison with educators is warranted. This makes it possible to provide intervention for children as an integral part of their school life in such a way as to enable educators to incorporate the aims of the communication and language intervention within the curriculum. Services are also provided in resource centres, where SLPs work with students with a variety of special educational needs. The service is delivered within the schools themselves and in close collaboration with the school staff.

 

The Speech-Language Pathologist liaises with all relevant agencies, relatives and carers of the patient to ensure continuity of care and treatment. Frequency of therapy and the discharge process are determined by the assessment, prognosis and outcome of intervention. This is discussed with the patient, family, carers and the multidisciplinary team.