The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) department specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of adult communication and swallowing difficulties.

There are 5 Speech and Language Therapist’s (SLTs) in Naas General Hospital who work closely with medical, nursing, and other allied health staff, to provide treatment for patients with:

• Stroke
• Brain Injury
• Dementia
• Cancer
• Progressive neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s Disease)
• Other medical and surgical conditions ( e.g. COPD, gastrointestinal diseases, tracheostomy tube care)
  
  

Difficulties which may occur are:

• Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing food and/or drinks.
• Dysarthria: Changes in speech and/or voice. This is caused by weakness, slowness, or lack of coordination in the muscles of the mouth, voice, and lungs.
• Aphasia: Difficulty in the use, or understanding, of language. This may impact a person's ability to speak, understand, read, or write.
• Dysphonia: Changes in voice, often known as hoarseness. This causes the voice to sound raspy, strained, lower in volume, or different in pitch.
• Changes in cognitive-communication skills: Changes in thinking skills, such as attention, memory, and processing, which can impact communication. Often the SLT works with an Occupational Therapist to support people with these difficulties.

The SLTs work with patients and their families to reduce the impact of communication and/or swallowing difficulties on everyday life. The team also work closely with SLT colleagues in the community, to ensure continuity of care when a patient is discharged from hospital.

Videofluoroscopy

This is an X-ray that shows what happens when you eat and drink. It helps the SLT to diagnose and treat swallowing problems. The SLTs run a weekly Videofluoroscopy clinic in the X-ray (Radiology) Department.

FEES

This is a flexible scope that passes through your nose to the back of the throat to show what happens when you eat and drink. It helps the SLT to diagnose and treat swallowing problems. This can be done at the bedside.

Communication groups

The SLTs run communication groups for patients with a range of communication difficulties, to promote conversation and social interaction during their hospital stay.

Education

The SLTs provide clinical placements for SLT students from Trinity College Dublin.

The SLTs also provide education and training to patients and families, and more specialised training sessions relating to communication and swallowing for healthcare professionals within the hospital (e.g. screening for dysphagia post stroke).

Quality

All SLTs working in Naas General Hospital are registered with CORU, Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator.

The SLTs aim to ensure all assessments and treatments are evidence based and in line with current best practice. All SLTs are involved in a programme of continuing professional development, and regularly evaluate and audit practices to ensure a high standard of service.

Access to the Service

In-patients can avail of the service through referral from medical, nursing, or allied health staff within the hospital.

There is no outpatient service at this time. If you are concerned about your speech, language, voice, or swallowing, please contact your GP who will refer you to your community (known as Primary Care) SLT service.