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GP referral

Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service (Newham)

The Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team is based at East Ham Care Centre, and provides assessment and management for adults over 18 years old, with acquired disorders of speech, language, communication and/or swallowing.  They need to be registered with a Newham GP, and living in Newham.

The Adult SLT team works closely with colleagues in other services, including the Community Neurology Service, Extended Primary Care services, East Ham Care Centre Inpatient Wards, and Newham University Hospital.

Front of East Ham Care Centre
Address

East Ham Care Centre
Shrewsbury Road
London
E7 8QP
United Kingdom

Opening hours
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Please note: We are not a crisis service, and our phone line is not handled outside of our opening hours. 
Email address
elft.sltadults.newhamcommunity@nhs.net
Telephone number
020 8475 2080
  • Assessing speech, language and communication (understanding, expression, written understanding and written output) as appropriate.
  • Assessing and offering advice regarding the appropriateness of alternative/augmentative methods of communication.
  • Based on assessment findings and patient goals devising an appropriate management plan which may include advice, education or therapeutic intervention to improve or maintain function.
  • Assessing the physiology of the swallow and determining the safety of oral food/fluid intake and risk of aspiration.
  • Assessing for the presence of impaired eating and drinking skills.
  • Making recommendations as to the safest oral intake with accompanying strategies as appropriate.
  • Providing verbal and/or written feedback to all those involved.
  • Supporting patients and carers and reducing potential anxiety surrounding the feeding difficulties.

Dysphagia Service Provision  

  • Risk management and governance: improved MDT working with Acute SLT colleagues
  • Training delivered to four Newham Nursing Homes and two EHCC inpatient wards
  • Outcomes achieved: safer decision-making leading to a positive patient experience 

Equity, Access and Inclusion 

  • Addressing health inequalities: culturally responsive practice, including interpreters in assessments and intervention
  • Adaptations for Newham’s population: resources in different languages, joint working with Digital People Participation to improve digital access
  • Improvements in referral process: new referral form leading to improved screening and triaging 
  • Access improvements: reduced waiting times 

Patient and Carer Involvement 

  • New Focus Groups and joint working with People Participation to gain service users' feedback
  • Adult SLT Service Users joining the People Participation team
  • Service leaflet updated with input from People Participation  

 

Improved Service Models 

  • Increased awareness of management of long-term conditions, e.g. FND within an MDT context
  • Staff training: self-management approach (Bridges)
  • MDT integration: joint working with EPCT therapy teams and Psychology colleagues, and GPs regarding EDAR and ACP
  • New QI project for group service provision 

Workforce and Capacity  

  • Skill-mix development: NQP competencies for junior staff
  • Supervision and statutory/mandatory training: 100% compliant
  • Recruitment and retention: fully staffed
  • Leadership: ELFT Lead Programme
  • Workforce wellbeing: new wellbeing champion
  • Student Placements: improved placement programme 

Outcomes and Impact  

  • Feedback from patients and carers: 100% positive  

Partnership Working 

  • Joint working with Community Neuro Service, EPCT, Psychological Services, Community Nursing, GP practices and GP MDT meetings, other Acute and Community Trusts, Newham Social Care, and Universities.  

Strategic Contribution 

  • Alignment with Trust priorities, and NHS 3 strategic shifts, i.e. hospital to community, sickness to prevention, and analogue to digital
  • Demand and capacity planning – AHP Pro

Please complete our Referral form emailed to service by GPs and other health or social care professionals.

To work with us, please visit the job vacancies page.