Speech and Language

Location

Vera Brown House
Kingston Hospital
Galsworthy Road
Kingston
Surrey
KT2 7QB

Our Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) work with people with a wide range of conditions, including:

Communication and swallowing problems caused by neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease or brain injury
Swallowing problems caused or exacerbated by acute illness or infections
Swallowing problems arising from respiratory conditions
Communication and swallowing problems related to tracheostomy

The SLT will assess how well the muscles you use for eating and drinking are working and the risk of food and drink going down the wrong way.

They can help by giving you exercises to perform, and advice on types of food and drink that may be easier to swallow.

If you are having communication difficulties, the SLT will:

Other services

Our SLTs provide assessment and therapy to patients on our Acute Stroke unit. They:

The SLTs also run a weekly lunch club where you can socialise and practise your speech and communication strategies in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Our team are also trained to take X-rays of swallowing (videofluoroscopy) to complement the assessments conducted at your bedside.

Further information

Several organisations provide advice and support to patients and their families:

Connect: 0207 367 0840, www.ukconnect.org

Speakability: 0207 261 9572, www.speakability.org.uk

Stroke Association: 0207 566 0300, www.stroke.org.uk

Dyscover: 01737 819419, http://dyscover.org.uk/

Different Strokes: 0845 130 7172, http://www.differentstrokes.co.uk/

Parkinson’s UK: 0808 800 0303, http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

Alzheimer’s Society: 020 7423 3500, http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

MNDA Association: 08457 626262, http://www.mndassociation.org/

MS Society: 020 8438 0700, http://www.mssociety.org.uk/

Tel: 020 8973 5288

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