The Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team offer assessment and treatment for in-patients, outpatients and community based patients over the age of 18 with acquired speech difficulties, communication difficulties, swallowing difficulties, voice problems, head and neck cancer, and after laryngectomy.
The team are all qualified and registered Speech and Language Therapists who deliver the service in accordance with their professional body the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Our Speech and Language Therapists work with adult inpatients across a range of areas including acute rehabilitation, critical care, palliative care, head and neck cancer, elderly care, neurological impairment, cardiac and respiratory care.
The dedicated Stroke Service at Leighton Hospital comprises of inpatient care for people who have had a stroke. The Stroke Unit is based on Ward 6 and has 28 beds. Eight of these are for acute stroke patients; the rest are for patients' ongoing rehabilitation.
The Stroke Unit provides high quality care for anyone over the age of 16 who has suffered a stroke or Transient Ischaemic attack.
How do I access these services?
Referrals are initiated by multi-disciplinary team members who are looking after the patients on the ward.
Opening times
Monday- Friday, 8.30am- 4.30pm
Contact details
Leighton Hospital: 01270 612342
Head and neck cancer is a general name for many different cancers. including those of the mouth, thyroid, throat and in more rare cases, cancers of the salivary gland, nose, sinuses, middle ear and bones of head and neck.
As a result of head and neck cancer, a person may experience difficulties speaking and/or eating and drinking. These difficulties can also occur after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our specialist Speech and Language Therapists will provide assessment, treatment, support and advice to help a person lead as normal a life as possible.
Can I have my speaking valve changed at Leighton Hospital?
For laryngectomy patients who require valve changes after surgical voice restoration, clinics are available at 9am, Monday - Wednesday (call 01270 612206 for more information).
How do I access this service?
You are likely to be referred by your Consultant or by one of the Speech and Language Therapists at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre following your treatment.
Opening times
Monday- Friday, 8.30am- 4.30pm
Useful links
Our highly skilled Speech and Language Therapists (also known as voice therapists) provide an outpatient service to those people experiencing difficulties with their voice.
We are used to seeing a wide variety of people with voice problems, including those who use their voice professionally such as teachers, performers and call centre workers. There are many reasons why somebody may experience difficulties with their voice such as medical conditions, misuse, stress and even acid reflux.
How do I access this service?
We accept referrals from Ear Nose and Throat consultants once a nasendoscopy has been performed. This involves a small camera being passed through the nose so that the doctor can assess the health of the larynx (voice box). This state of the art technology helps to decide if voice therapy is required.
Opening times
Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 16.00pm at Leighton Hospital
A limited service can be accessed at Victoria Infirmary, Northwich.
Contact details
Leighton Hospital - 01270 255141 ext 2838
Northwich Infirmary - 01606 564003
Useful links
Voicecare is an organisation that aims to help people keep their voices healthy and to communicate effectively
The british voice association is a UK based charity that offers training and support for those with voice problems
The Speech and Language Therapists based in the Community Stroke Team offer communication and/or swallowing assessment, treatment and support to people (and their families/carers) who have had a stroke, following their discharge from hospital. The service can work with people for up to 16 weeks, whilst they have active SLT goals and needs.
How do I access the service?
The service is base at Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre, Crewe, but see people in their own homes, nursing or residential homes.
Referrals are made to the team via referral form.
Contact details
Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre - 01270 275691
Our aim is to work with people to enable them to improve the quality of their lives by providing therapies in their own home. We provide specialist assessment of patients with a wide range of conditions including Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Arthritis, Fractures, Joint Replacements, Falls and Respiratory problems.
A member of the Speech and Language Therapy team will assess your communication skills. They will work with you to help improve any difficulties with speech and language, reading or writing. An individualised therapy plan will help you to function as well as possible in your environment. Any difficulties with eating, drinking or swallowing will be assessed and appropriate advice given to help you eat and drink as safely as possible. This may include practical advice about specialised feeding utensils and suitable diet and fluid textures.
How do I access the service?
The service provides care for patients if they are housebound or patients who are to poorly / frail to attend an outpatient therapy appointment. Referrals are made to the team via a referral form from the GP, Consultant or Therapy Staff.
Opening times
The core service hours are 9.00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday
Contact details
Victoria Infirmary, Northwich - 01606 544277
Bevan House, Barony Court, Nantwich - 01270 275429
