Speech and language therapy

Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) helps if you have problems with talking, understanding, or swallowing. You might get help after a stroke, illness, injury or surgery.

Therapists work with people aged 16+ across Lewisham - in hospital, at home, or in the community - to help you improve communication and stay safe when eating and drinking.

Who this service is for?

You may benefit from SLT if you:

• have difficulty speaking clearly or understanding others
• are recovering from a stroke, neurological illness or surgery
• have voice problems or trouble using your voice
• have swallowing problems (called dysphagia)
• have memory or thinking problems affecting communication

You must live in Lewisham or have a Lewisham GP. The service does not support people with a primary diagnosis of learning disability or provide long-term maintenance therapy.

What conditions are supported?

The team supports both inpatients and outpatients with:

• stroke and brain injury
• neurological conditions (like Parkinson’s, MS, dementia)
• swallowing disorders (dysphagia)
• voice disorders (eg. hoarseness or vocal strain)
• communication problems (eg. aphasia)
• critical care and tracheostomy management

Hospital and community services

Inpatient services

SLTs work on the stroke wards, acute medical wards, surgery wards, and with elderly patients. They:

• help with safe swallowing (eg. diet changes)
• support speech and language recovery
• work closely with nurses, doctors, physios, OTs and families

Outpatient services

You might be referred to hospital clinics for:

• voice problems - including therapy and nasendoscopy
• swallowing assessments - including:
• videofluoroscopy (video X-ray of the swallow)
• FEES (camera test to check swallowing from the nose)

If you need longer-term support, you’ll be referred to a community SLT team.

Specialist clinics

• Videofluoroscopy Clinic - Wednesdays
• FEES Clinic - every 6-8 weeks
• Voice Clinic - joint ENT and SLT appointments
• Education Voice Group - for new patients before 1:1 therapy

Therapists also support adults who are housebound or live in care homes if their needs relate to their home or surroundings.

Where it is

2nd Floor, Pink Zone University Hospital Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LH

Contact us

Phone: 020 8333 3004 Email: lg.speechappointments@nhs.net Website: Lewisham Speech and Language Therapy

How to get support

You’ll need a referral from:

• your GP
• a hospital doctor
• another healthcare professional (eg. ENT)