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Speech and Language Therapists are skilled in the assessment, differential diagnosis, treatment and management of patients who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties. 

These may be caused by the cancer and/or its treatment. Speech and Language Therapists provide a Trust-wide service and, in line with recommendations from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, are core members of the head and neck cancer multidisciplinary team. 

Speech and Language Therapists have recognised expertise in assessment and rehabilitation of communication and  swallowing difficulties, laryngectomy rehabilitation, tracheostomy management, palliative care and research. We provide specialist instrumental swallow assessment including videofluoroscopy (an X-ray of swallowing) and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). 

Patients can be referred to the head and neck cancer speech and language therapist via any member of the multidisciplinary head and neck cancer team. 

Speech and Language Therapists are members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and are registered and regulated by the Health Professions Council.

Our aims:

• To provide a comprehensive, specialist service to patients with communication and swallowing difficulties associated with head and neck cancer and its treatment. 
• To undertake high-quality audit and research aiming to improve services to patients with head and neck cancer. 
• To provide high-quality education to all disciplines involved in the care of people with cancer with communication and swallowing difficulties, including graduate and postgraduate education. 
• To ensure seamless continuity of care.

Useful links

• Macmillan information
• Changing Faces
• Laryngectomy information
• Web Whispers
• Cancer Research UK