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Speech-language pathology (SLT) is an "incredibly rewarding" job despite current challenges with staffing and waiting lists, two experienced therapists said. Speech-language pathologists provide support to everyone, from premature babies learning to breastfeed, to people at the end of life who can be helped to swallow food and drinks and communicate with loved ones and caregivers. They make a real difference in life by helping people after injury or illness and helping people stay at home or in a nursing home instead of needing hospitalization.
Charlotte Colesby, manager of speech and language services at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, has been a speech therapist for over 30 years and told the PA news agency: 'It's fabulous and I love it.
Ms Colesby, who graduated with her first degree in 1991 and has built her career in the Black Country, said: 'For me, communication is the foundation of what makes us human.
“Being able to help a child or an adult communicate for the first time or again after having a stroke or something like that is incredibly rewarding.
"It's not just about talking, it can be about using signs, symbols, to be able to do that, it's extremely rewarding."
Ms Colesby said: “Language underpins every other part of the programme. Without these skills, it is very difficult for children to succeed.
"If you're an adult with Parkinson's or MND and you can't communicate with your family and friends, that's going to make things a lot more difficult for you.
"It's to maximize function for as long as possible."
I think that's what really drives us, we can really make a difference.
Speech therapists can also help people in the hospital be able to go home by making sure they can communicate and eat and drink.
Ruth Rayner, head of speech and language therapy and integrated therapies for children at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'It's a very important role.
"If that person goes home, how are they going to deal with someone knocking on the door, the phone ringing, how are they going to be safe in that environment?"
Ms Rayner has been a speech therapist for 36 years and said the profession has changed in that time with more work to assess and support children with autism and patients with swallowing problems.
“The numbers have gone up. The demand has increased, which is affecting the waiting lists,” he told PA.
“It's not just about seeing new patients, it's about seeing adults and children who need support and intervention down the road.
“Given this increased demand, what size pie do we have and how can we best distribute it? What things can others help us do? »
Speech-language pathologists often work with other services and teach others, such as school staff, how best to provide regular support to people.
“I think that's what really drives us, we can really make a difference,” added Ms. Rayner.
"At the end of the day, we're using public money and we want to make sure every penny counts."
Therapists qualify through a diploma, a two-year master's degree, or through an apprenticeship program in England that allows people to study while they work.
Ms Rayner said there was no "ceiling" stopping people from developing their careers, adding: "There is something to aspire to."
Ms. Colesby agreed that it was a job with many opportunities to develop skills and further specialise.
“Things have changed, they do and they have to. Every profession must grow to develop”, he said. “Speech therapy is a relatively young profession. The evidence base continues to grow and we are working on the evidence base. »
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