Neurorehabilitation Speech and Language Therapy

We offer a holistic treatment programme, and carry out interventions either individually or in groups, often alongside other therapies.

Our role at OCE

Inpatients

We work with patients on the Neurorehabilitation Ward who have communication or eating, drinking and swallowing disorders due to brain injury.

Starting with comprehensive assessment, we offer a wide variety of interventions to patients on the ward as appropriate, ranging from advice and education to intensive therapy.

This will usually involve working with patients and their family members, as well as supporting communication between the patient and members of the multidisciplinary team.

Outpatients

We provide assessment and intervention for people with communication difficulties that impact on their everyday activities in work, leisure and family life.

Patients should have goals that can be met in an outpatient setting, and we provide coordinated multidisciplinary support to them to achieve their goals.

Patients who only need speech and language therapy, or whose needs are more suited to a home or community setting, are instead referred to community speech and language therapy services.

Following assessment, we may offer a range of management approaches which can include advice, direct intervention, working with family members and setting up home therapy programmes.

We are typically able to offer up to around eight sessions in total, including joint sessions with our multidisciplinary colleagues.

Inclusion / exclusion criteria

Referral Criteria for Outpatient Neurorehabilitation Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) (pdf, 170 KB)

MDT Clinic with Nursing

Patients under the care of the MDT Clinic with Nursing at OCE can access speech and language therapy for support with changes in their communication or eating, drinking and swallowing due to their long-term neurological condition, which are impacting their health or participation in daily life.

Depending on need, this can involve assessment and a range of interventions from advice and education to active therapy.

We liaise with, and refer to, a range of services, including instrumental swallow assessment and community speech and language services provided by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

We do not accept urgent dysphagia* referrals into this service - these patients should be referred to their community SALT service, which in Oxfordshire is:

Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy - Oxford Health

*Features of urgent dysphagia referrals include true choking episodes (where there is complete airway obstruction requiring first aid) or rapidly worsening swallowing difficulties in the context of weight loss, chest infections or dehydration concerns.

Referrals

Please refer patients according to the OCE neurological rehabiliation referral process:

• Referral process for neurological rehabilitation - inpatients
• Referral process for neurological rehabilitation - outpatients

Contact us

Email: ocesalt@ouh.nhs.uk