Speech and Language Therapy (Community)
Where are we based?
We are situated in the Therapy Department, ground floor East Wing at Russells Hall Hospital.
What do we do?
We are a team of Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and Assistants providing a service to patients in acute inpatient and outpatient settings. We specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with a wide range of communication, voice and/or swallowing difficulties. Therapy is provided on an individual basis or in groups. Training is also provided to the multi disciplinary team (MDT).
We operate an open referral system to patients with communication difficulties. However, for more complex cases and swallowing and voice difficulties, our referrals come from:
- Medical consultants
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultants
- Other members of the MDT
Our client base covers a range of diagnostic groups including:
- Stroke – Clinical information for SLTs | RCSLT
- Brain injury – clinical information for SLTs | RCSLT
- Dementia – clinical information | RCSLT
- Head and neck cancer – Clinical information | RCSLT
- Progressive neurological disorders information | RCSLT
- Long COVID overview | RCSLT
- Voice disorders – Clinical information for SLTs | RCSLT
- Trans voice – Clinical information for SLTs | RCSLT
- Upper airway disorders within adult respiratory services | RCSLT
Following assessment, treatment plans will be developed to meet individual needs and may include:
- Therapy to rehabilitate lost function
- Provision of advice and strategies to maximise current function. For patients with swallowing difficulties this may involve modification of consistencies of textures of food and drink
- Education of staff and carers
- Advice regarding communication aids
- Onward referral for instrumental assessments (e.g. videofluoroscopy or F.E.E.S. (Fibreoptic Nasendoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)
Content Owner
The content owner for this site is:
Charlotte Wooldridge – SLT Administrator
To request changes to the site or for requests for information, please contact the content owner.
Contact Details
Service Manager: Louise Brookes
Tel: (01384) 456111 Ext 2439/4565
Email address: dgft.speechtherapyacute@nhs.net
Twitter: @RussellsHallSLT
Other key contacts
Community speech and language therapy is delivered by Dudley Rehabilitation Service (DRS).
Their contact details are:
Tel: (01384) 456111 323145 option 2
Email address: dgft.drs@nhs.net
Referral Form: To add form