What is Speech-Language Therapy?
Speech-language therapy involves the diagnosis, treatment, and management of communication and swallowing problems.
Speech-language therapists (SLTs) within inpatients are professionals who work closely with patients, families/whānau, and other health professionals (such as doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians) to assess, diagnose, and manage/rehabilitate communication and swallowing problems across all ages in the hospital wards. SLTs at Health New Zealand-Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā also work closely with SLTs in rehabilitation facilities, in the community and other hospitals to ensure seamless SLT treatment and management.
Conditions that may lead to communication and/or swallowing problems in adults include:
- stroke
- brain injury
- degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, and motor-neurone disease
- respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and recurrent pneumonia
- cancer of the head, neck, throat, and brain
Swallowing problems in adults can also result from general frailty, deconditioning and age related changes.
Speech-language therapists at Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā also see: