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Adult Speech and Language Therapy (Portsmouth)
The Adult SLT Service provides assessment, intervention and management of acquired communication and / or swallowing difficulties for people aged 16years and over who are registered with a GP in Portsmouth F&G or SEH. A range of services are provided including community in-patient, outpatient and domiciliary services to people with stroke, progressive neurological conditions, adults with a learning disability, frail elderly, people with dementia, head injury, voice disorders and dysfluency (stammer). Assessment for an alternative or augmentative communication system (AAC) is also available Appointments may be face to face or remote using telemedicine.
SLTs provide assessment and where indicated, goal based one-to-one or group therapy, and support and information for patients, carers and multidisciplinary colleagues.
Please click here to find the nursing and care home swallow resource pack.
Locations
SLT services are provided across Portsmouth City, South East Hants, Fareham and Gosport.
Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) are based in community hospitals or alongside health and social care multidisciplinary teams and see clients in a range of community settings e.g. patient homes, residential homes and day centres.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Referral criteria
Aged 16 years or over, with an acquired communication or swallowing difficulty.
A person with a learning disability aged 16 years or over transitioning from child to adult services.
Referrals for a voice disorder need to have had an up to date ENT assessment (within the last 6 months).
The service is not able to accept referrals for certain conditions– please click here to see the exclusion criteria.
Referrals should be made using the Single Point of Access on 0300 300 2011. GPS are able to refer to SPA via a secure email address.
Please click to view the current SPA referral details template before making the call to ensure all relevant information can be provided. Accurate and detailed referral information is required in order to conduct triage and prioritisation.
The service operates an open referral system. This means that anyone can refer to SLT, including the patients themselves. A referral from a health or social care professional is preferred.
Full service description
SLT will triage all referrals and a decision is then made to accept the referral or reject as inappropriate or insufficient information. Accurate and detailed referral information is required in order to conduct triage and prioritisation. The more detailed the referral is, the more efficient and effective the SLT triage can be. A priority rating of 1-3 will be given and a due date allocated, SLTs aim to see urgent referrals within 3 weeks and routine referrals within 13 weeks. Please note that these time scales may not always be achievable. Referral acknowledgement letters are sent to the patients and the referrer / GP, this includes details of how to contact SLT should any new communication or swallow concerns arise. A waiting lists system is operated.
Quality is assured through the use of care pathways based on research evidence, national guidance, outcome measures, audits and local research. The service is also able to provide a range of patient information in accessible formats.
A swallow resource pack for health and socials care professionals supporting people in nursing and care home settings has been developed by the SLT team. This resource should be viewed prior to making a referral to SLT.
Click here to learn more about The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI).
Referral method
Referral Information Required
Accurate and detailed referral information is required in order to conduct triage and prioritisation. When you refer, you will be asked for;
- Patient contact details including address and telephone
- Referrer contact details including address, telephone and email
- Reason for referral (communication or swallowing)
- Relevant medical history
- Abilities and difficulties with communication
- How communication difficulties affect well-being and lifestyle
- For swallowing referrals;
- What consistency of food and fluids they are currently taking
- Whether they are coughing when eating and drinking
- History of any chest infections or choking
- Duration of the swallowing difficulty
- Recent weight loss or dehydration
- Difficulty swallowing medication
- Referrers and clients level of concern
- Whether the referral is urgent and if so why
- Whether the client lives alone, if a home visit is needed and if so why
- Family and next of kin details
Other information & documentation
Due to the impact of Covid 19, including SLT redeployment, partial service closure and associated reduced capacity, waiting times for SLT assessment and intervention are currently longer than usual.
SLTs and SLT assistants providing direct / face to face patient intervention will wear personal protective equipment, eg face mask, visor or goggles, plastic apron and gloves.
Comments or concerns about the Adult SLT service should be addressed to the Solent PALs tea,.
Contact Information
Speech and Language Service
2nd Floor, Block B, St Mary’s Community Campus, Milton Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6AD
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
- Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
- Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
- Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
- Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Special Notice
The service operates between the core hours of 8am – 5pm on weekdays. No service is provided at weekends or bank holidays.