Speech & Language Therapy
Speech & Language Therapists work with the key skill that makes us human: the ability to communicate. Communication is vital to our social, psychological and physical well being. It is a skill we practice from birth and use continually throughout our waking hours.
The loss of the ability to communicate impacts upon our access to education, work and engagement in everyday life. It affects not only clients but those around them; their families and carers.
The other key area of work for Speech & Language Therapists is swallowing difficulties (called ‘dysphagia’). We play a central role in the assessment and management of people who have difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can have a significant impact upon physical, social and psychological risks associated with not being able to swallow. Speech & Language Therapists advise on swallowing problems affecting the mouth and throat.
After referral, an assessment appointment is made. The client and therapist agree on the plan of action. Clients may receive advice or need further therapy. Therapy may be individual or in a group, as appropriate.
Speech & Language Therapists see clients in a variety of community settings this includes health centres, nursing homes, residential homes and in a patient's own home.
The Adult Speech & Language Therapists also offer support and training for health care professionals who work with people who have developed speech, language, voice or swallowing problems.
Our services include:
- Voice clients
- Fluency (stammering)
- Stroke
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Oncology & Palliative Care
- Other neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease
- Swallowing assessments with availability and access to Videofluoroscopy (x-ray of the swallow) and FEES (fibreoptic endoscopic examination of swallow)
- Communication aid assessment
Who is eligible to access our service?
Adults 18 and over who need assessment of their communication and/ or swallowing for advice on managing these areas.
How to access our service
For communication difficulties you can refer yourself to the service or another person can refer on your behalf. This can be a relative, carer or health care professional.The referral can be made by phoning the service. We will need to take some personal and medical details. When a health care professional refers this should be done in writing.
Clients with voice problems need an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) assessment before being referred to our service.
Urgent referrals can be faxed to the service.
How to contact us
Community Services Bury
Adult Speech & Language Therapy Service
Blenheim House
Little 66, Roach Bank Road
Hollins Brook, Bury BL9 8RN
T: 0161 767 1434
F: 0161 767 1440
Opening hours
Monday to Friday
8.30am - 4.30pm