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Home > Services > Speech and Language Therapy > Adult speech and language therapy

Adult speech and language therapy

We work with adults from 19 years of age who have speech, language or communication needs or difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing.

Speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties needs might include:

  • changes to speech and swallowing after stroke
  • communication and swallowing difficulties associated with a long term neurological condition
  • difficulties understanding or using language
  • stammering, where sounds or words are repeated or a lot of effort is needed to produce them
  • speaking with a persistently unusual voice quality, which might sound croaky, breathy or hoarse

As well as working directly with the person referred to us we also support families, carers and other people around them. We aim to work together to get the best outcomes and improve quality of life.

We also aim to help educate the wider population to understand the needs of people with communication and swallowing difficulties. 

Contact

Phone 01429 522471

Email [email protected]

Information for service users and professionals

How to refer

We have an open referral service. A GP or other professional can refer an adult to us by completing a referral form as long as they have gained consent. You can also refer yourself to us without going through your GP.

You can complete our online referral form below or contact us by phone to talk through your concerns.

Please note, this service is only available to residents of Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees.

Community referral form

Information for Care Homes

Guide to referral

We accept referrals direct from nursing and care homes and with patient consent. If you need advice we can discuss queries and concerns via a telephone call to service. Please see our referral guidelines in our resources section below.

Adult speech and language therapy: community referral guidelines

Information for students

Speech and language therapy students

As a team we regularly provide placement opportunities for student speech and language therapists from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. On occasion we’ve arranged placements in partnership with other universities, for example when a student lives in the North Tees area. If you are due to come on placement with us you can download our student induction pack here and we look forward to meeting you soon.

Students from other professions

We can offer half-day observation sessions to students of other professions within the trust. In the past we’ve had student health visitors, school nurses, midwives and doctors spending time with our team. For more information about the availability of observation sessions, please contact our admin team on 01429 522471.

Thinking of a career in speech and language therapy?

If you are thinking of becoming a speech and language therapist or assistant practitioner you can find lots of useful information on the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and NHS careers websites. We offer observation placements for work experience students or people considering a career in speech and language therapy – these are usually two half-day sessions (one with our children’s team, one with our adults’ team). For more information you can contact our admin team on 01429 522471.

Useful resources

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