Service Overview
As Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) we specialise in:
- Assessment
- Diagnosis
- Management communication
- Swallowing difficulties
We provide treatment for inpatients of Naas General Hospital only.
We work with patients, and their families, to improve communication and reduce swallowing difficulties.
Difficulties can be the result of:
- Stroke
- Brain Injury
- Dementia
- Cancer
- Progressive neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s Disease)
- Other medical conditions. Like respiratory 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. 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. This can impact communication. Often the we work with an Occupational Therapist to support people with these difficulties.
|
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. It shows us what happens when you eat and drink. It helps the SLT to diagnose and treat swallowing problems. This can be done at the bedside. |
|
Education |
|---|
|
We provide clinical placements for SLT students from Trinity College Dublin. We provide education and training to patients and families. We provide more specialised training sessions for hospital colleagues. |
|
Quality |
|---|
|
All our SLTs are registered with CORU. CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. We 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. We regularly evaluate and audit practices to ensure a high standard of service. |
-
Mon-Fri8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.