Adult speech and language therapy

Adult Speech and Language therapists work with people 18 years and older who have acquired problems with their eating / drinking & swallowing, speech, language or voice. We work with a wide variety of clients, including people who have had strokes, acquired brain injuries, progressive neurological conditions, head and neck cancer, stammering, voice impairment and degenerative disease such as dementia.

Adult Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services are provided by NHS Border Adult Speech & Language Therapy Department with the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership.

For general enquires please contact the Adult Speech and Language Therapy department on 01896 826456.

Or email SpeechandLanguageTherapy.Contact@borders.scot.nhs.uk

We work with adults of all ages who might have acquired problems with:

Speaking clearly (dysarthria or dyspraxia)
Understanding speech or written words (aphasia)
Expressing themselves through speech or writing (aphasia)
Eating/drinking and swallowing (dysphagia)
Fluency (stammering)
Voice

These can arise as a result of:

Stroke/head injury
Head and neck cancer
Neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s)
Cerebral palsy
Mental health problems

Who to refer, who not to refer, how to refer

Who to Refer:

You can refer individuals to Speech and Language therapy for:

Communication issues:

if someone expresses concerns about acquired communication difficulties
if someone experiences difficulties understanding what is being said to them
if someone experiences difficulties expressing themselves or interacting with others
to gain practical advice and support for people with communication needs to enable their decision making capacity

Swallowing issues

if someone expresses concerns about their swallowing (not related to oesophageal dysfunction)
if you are concerned that swallowing function is impacting on the person’s health (e.g. repeated chest infections, unexplained weight loss, frequent choking or coughing episode

Care home eating, drinking and swallowing referrals should be referred by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Please note: voice referrals* can only be accepted if the patient has been seen by ENT within the last 3 months.

*The exception being transgender patients – who would be referred via the Gender Identity Clinic, please see service contact details for how to contact.