Urgent changes are needed to support timely access to speech and language therapy for those who need it. Mainstream services must support the early identification of speech, language and communication difficulties, and ensure timely access to specialist services that are sustained in proportion to need. With more coherent planning and sharing of resources across traditional boundaries [...]

Tackling communication and swallowing problems reduces avoidable costs and waste in the NHS, local authorities, the criminal justice system and the wider economy. Communication difficulties lead to poor educational achievement and under-development of the key skills that are essential for a high performing economy. The UK has lower output than France, Germany and the US [...]

Problems with speech and language imprison the individual, and severely limit their participation in family life, the community, education and the world of work Human dignity and the ability to lead a rewarding life can be unlocked or denied by the presence or absence of speech and language therapy services. People with serious cancers and [...]

Speech and language therapists are specialists who enable people to develop or regain vital communication and swallowing skills Speech and language therapists enable people to express themselves, to listen to and understand others. They provide accurate identification, assessment and diagnosis of speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders. Speech and language therapy is based on continuous [...]

It is estimated that nearly 20% of the population may experience communication difficulties at some point in their lives. Communication difficulties are strongly prevalent in children and older people and can be related to, for example, head and neck cancer, brain injury, learning difficulties and hearing impairment. One in 10 children have a speech and [...]