Our services

Speech and Language Therapy – adults

About the service

The Speech and Language therapy team offers specialist services to adults over 18 years of age in Bradford who have communication and swallowing problems, including:

  • Aphasia – when a person’s ability to speak, write and understand spoken or written words, is affected, possibly due to a head injury or stroke.
  • Dysarthria – disturbed or weak control of the muscles for speech, eg: lips, tongue, jaw, palate, vocal folds and muscles which control breathing, possibly as a result of a progressive neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s motor neurone, or Huntington’s disease.
  • Dyspraxia (verbal) – affecting a person’s ability to speak in the absence of muscle weakness, paralysis, sensory loss, comprehension loss or ataxia, possibly due to a stroke.
  • Dysphagia – swallowing disorders associated with acquired neurological disorders, stroke, head injury, palliative care and respiratory disorders.
  • Stammering (stuttering) – when a person has difficulty producing speech in a smooth way (support with stammering page coming soon).
  • Dysphonia voice difficulties– symptoms including a hoarse, strained or quivering voice, pain or a lump in the throat when speaking.

We work to empower you to manage your communication and or swallowing as independently as is possible. For additional information please see the ‘more useful information’ tab below.

How to access

You can self-refer into the service by contacting the Speech and Language Therapy admin hub on 01274 221166, or you can ask another professional involved in your care to refer you – such as your GP or hospital consultant. For both self and professional service referrals please use the referral forms below.

How to find us

We see people at home, in care homes (where we can provide specialist support and training for staff), outpatient clinics and within community hospitals (intermediate care). We also use digital-first approaches for assessment and intervention and provide online appointments where appropriate via telephone or video consultation.

Contact

Our office is open Mon-Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm. Please contact the Speech and Language Therapy admin hub on 01274 221166.

Use the tabs below to explore this section further.

What to expect

Referral

When you are referred to us, we will determine the most suitable assessment type for your needs.  We will assess your speech, language and communication or swallowing.

We will then create an individual support and therapy plan based on your individual assessment.

Waiting list

Once we have screened and accepted your referral you will be placed on a waiting list.  You will receive a letter which details the type of assessment you have been accepted for and waiting time for that assessment.

Assessment

During your assessment will discuss the concerns you are experiencing and how these impact on your daily life.

If you have concerns relating to Dysphagia, we will observe you eating and drinking to make recommendations on your swallow safety and provide strategies to support you.  If your appointment takes place in clinic then you may be asked to bring food and drink with you.

If you have concerns relating to communication, your assessment will be based on your needs. It will include a formal and informal assessment, as well as discussion with you and your caregivers to determine what you wish to achieve with our support.

After your appointment

Next steps will be agreed with you, which can include, further appointments, a block of therapy, written and verbal advice, and strategies.

Our service will help to empower you to manage your communication and or swallowing as independently as is possible.

Swallowing

Our dedicated Dysphagia page has lots of helpful information about swallowing difficulties including how to spot the signs, how to refer for an assessment, and how to support someone who is waiting for a Dysphagia assessment.

If you are supporting someone who has dementia – please refer to our ‘mealtime concerns related to dementia‘ page.

Other useful resources

International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative – IDDSI – a global initiative offering advice and support to improve the lives of over 590 million people worldwide living with dysphagia.

Swallowing exercises from the Swallowing Disorder Foundation

 

 

Communication

If you are supporting someone who is waiting for a communication assessment you may find these tips helpful.

Being understood

To help someone understand you better:

  • get the person’s attention first
  • keep your voice at a comfortable level, you don’t need to talk louder unless they ask you to do so
  • keep the words you use simple but adult – don’t “talk down” to the person
  • slow down as you speak.
  • use short sentences and repeat key words that you want them to understand
  • break down directions into small steps and repeat as needed
  • use pictures, gestures, writing, and facial expressions as someone with communication difficulty may understand those better than words.

Helping someone express themself

To help someone express themself better:

  • give them to communicate their message.
  • watch their body language and gestures as these visual cues may provide additional information and context
  • let the person know when you have trouble understanding – don’t pretend to understand
  • if you don’t understand their whole message, repeat the part you understood so they don’t have to start all over again
  • ask them to draw, write, point, or gesture if they’re having trouble communicating—or if you’re having trouble understanding
  • use “yes” and “no” questions to offer simple options and to make sure that you understand their message and say a person’s messages back to them, so they can tell that you understood them correctly
  • give choices instead of asking an open-ended question, for example, “Do you want to watch TV or go out?” instead of “What should we do this afternoon?”
  • Let them make mistakes they may not be able to say everything perfectly all the time, the important thing is that they get their message across.

Helping someone to better understand and express themself

To help someone to better understand and express themself:

  • ask the person how they prefer to communicate or what you can do to support them
  • be patient – it may take an extra moment for someone to get their words out or to understand your message, so simply extend courtesy and kindness
  • get rid of distractions, eg: turn off the TV or radio.
  • don’t make assumptions – this includes assumptions about a person’s intelligence or capabilities to perform certain tasks as well as their preferences and/or life choices, such as whether they want to participate in a certain activity, pursue a new job or responsibility, etc.

Useful resources

Aphasia

Dysarthria

Dyspraxia

Dysphagia

Other useful information for communication difficulties

For professionals

To refer into our Speech and Language Therapy service for adults, please use the appropriate method below:

GP e-referral – would GPs please note all referrals into the service for adult swallowing and communication assessment must now be made using SystmOne and GP Assist. This will save you time as well as reducing inappropriate referrals to the service. Please ensure you use this process now, otherwise the referral may be rejected – click the link for detailed instructions.

SystmOne e-referral for other professionals – please note that Bradford District Care Foundation NHS Trust (BDCFT) has changed the way in which professionals refer patients to the Adult community team for swallowing and
communication assessment. Please click the link for details of how to refer in SystmOne.

Speech and Language Therapy Adult Community Referral