We see adults aged 16 years and older who present with swallowing and/or communication difficulties.

We provide:

• •Assessment and differential diagnosis of communication and/or swallowing difficulty.
• Intervention, which may be therapy and/or management.
• Information, education, advice, and support to patients, carers and families.
• Interdisciplinary casework management with the wider clinical team.
• Collaborate and liaise with community groups such as the Volunteer Stroke Scheme,   Stroke Association, Parkinson’s NZ, Motor Neuron Disease Association, Talk Link Trust.
• Assess and advice around communication aids.

Conditions that may require SLT input include but are not limited to:

• Cancer- head and neck, brain, and lung.
• Neurodegenerative diseases e.g. Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s disease,  Multiple Systems Atrophy, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia,  Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Friedreich’s Ataxia, Muscular Dystrophy.
• Intellectual Disability (dysphagia cases).
• Chronic Stroke (post 2 years).
• Trauma to head and neck or spine.
• Old age.
• Congenital conditions.
• COPD.
• Palliative care.

Exclusions:

-  Children (can be referred to the Ministry of Education, Special Education services, or Kidz First Child development Team).

-  Residents in a Private Hospital or Rest Home. Speech-Language Therapy services need to be contracted privately by the Rest Home/Private Hospital. Private therapists can be found on: www.speechtherapy.org.nz