Speech and language therapy

Speech and language therapy at QVH is a hospital and community-based service for adults with communication and swallowing impairments. We aim to give you the best possible function, independence and quality of life, by working directly with you and your family members and carers to provide you with evidence-based treatment programmes, advice and education.

Outpatient and community service

Our speech and language therapy service provides support and advice to adults living in and around East Grinstead with acquired swallowing, communication and voice difficulties. We offer assessment, specific advice and targeted therapy tailored to the client’s needs. We are able to offer an outpatient service and home visits (including nursing homes).

We work with a variety of patient groups including those with:

• progressive neurological disease (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis)
• head injury
• brain tumour
• stroke
• dementia
• voice difficulties

Information on the referral criteria and how to refer can be found on the right hand side of this page. For more information or to contact the team: call 01342 414471 or email qvh.salt@nhs.net

Head and neck oncology service

We are a team of highly specialist and dedicated speech and language therapists providing services to head and neck cancer patients as both in-patients and outpatients. We have recognised expertise in dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), voice and laryngectomy rehabilitation, tracheostomy and palliative care. We will be involved in a patient’s care throughout their entire cancer pathway. This begins at the point of diagnosis with information and advice prior to treatment starting and continues through to the rehabilitation of speech, voice and swallow once treatment is finished. This includes any later consequences of cancer treatment.

Find out more about head and neck oncology here. For more information on this service or to contact the team: call 01342 414471 or email qvh.salt@nhs.net

Diagnostic swallowing service (Videofluoroscopy)

Videofluoroscopy (VFS) is a modification of a barium swallow xray examination which is used in the assessment and management of oropharyngeal swallowing disorders. Swallowing involves a series of rapid coordinated movements of the tongue, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus. As some components of the swallow cannot be accurately assessed clinically, there is a need for instrumental evaluation such as VFS.

At QVH we offer a weekly VFS service. Referrals are accepted from consultants, GPs and speech and language therapists.

*Please note, all patients referred for VFS must have undergone a clinical bedside swallow assessment by a speech and language therapist prior to undergoing VFS.

For more information on this service or to contact the team: call 01342 414471.