Speech Pathology

 

​​​​Speech Pathology provides specialist assessment and management of babies, children and adults with communication and swallowing problems. 

Communication problems can include:

• Slurred speech

• Difficulty understanding

• Difficulty speaking

• Difficulty reading and writing

Swallowing problems can include:

• Coughing when eating and drinking

• Food getting stuck in your throat

• Difficulty chewing
  

Services

Speech Pathology provides assessment and management for patients with swallowing and communication problems across the lifespan. We collaborate with our patients and the multi-disciplinary team to achieve patient-centred goals and facilitate complex discharge planning.

Adult Inpatients

Speech Pathology provides a service across all inpatient units, including but not limited to:

Acute services:

• Stroke/Neurology
  

• General Medicine            
  

• Acute Aged Care

• Intensive Care
  

• Respiratory Medicine

• Head & Neck 
  

• Inpatient Rehabilitation

• Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM)
  

• Dementia Management Unit 
  

• Specialised Rehabilitation Program (SRP)
  

• Transition Care Program (TCP)
  

Outpatients

Dysphagia Clinic

The Speech Pathology Department operates an outpatient Dysphagia Clinic at Sunshine Hospital for people with swallowing disorders (dysphagia). Through this clinic, clients have access to instrumental assessments (Videofluoroscopy) to investigate and/or guide management of their swallowing difficulty.  

All health professionals can refer to the Dysphagia Clinic. Referrals will only be accepted for clients who meet the clinic's referral criteria and live within the Western Health catchment area.​​

Referrers are encouraged to use the Dysphagia Clinic Referral Form.​

Should referrers choose not to use the Referral Form, written referrals will be accepted. Written referrals must include the following mandatory information:

• Client's full name, address and contact phone number
  
• Referrer's full name, place of work and contact phone number
  
• Reason for referral and any relevant clinical information (eg. Medical history)
  
• Written Videofluoroscopy approval from a medical practitioner
  

All referrals must be faxed to (03) 8345 6856 (Western Health Referral Management Centre) or emailed to [email protected].

Appointments will be prioritised based on clinical urgency.

For any enquiries, please contact the Speech Pathology Department on 0403 082 239 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Voice/Head and Neck

Speech Pathology provides outpatient services for patients referred from the Western Health ENT Clinic and Head & Neck Clinic.

For any enquiries, please contact the Speech Pathology Department on extension 8345 6496 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Radiotherapy

Speech Pathology provides a service to patients attending the Sunshine Hospital Radiation Therapy Centre.

For any enquiries, please contact the Speech Pathology Department on 0481 478 348 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Paediatrics

Speech Pathology is based within the Paediatric Allied Health Service at the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's, Sunshine Hospital. The team's vision is to empower parents and support babies and young children with developmental challenges.

Speech Pathologists offer multi-disciplinary assessment and therapy to preschool children (0-3 years) with difficulties in communication and / or feeding development. The team delivers services across inpatient and outpatient settings, including a number of specialist clinics:

• Paediatric Developmental Clinic
  

•  Newborn Services Clinic 
  

• Growth and Nutrition Clinic

• Autism Clinic 
  

For any enquiries, please contact Women's and Children's Administration on extension 8345 1727 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Workforce and Careers

Quality improvement activities, professional development, and the commitment to ongoing learning ensure that best practice models are utilised.

We have a strong focus on teamwork and leadership. Staff are empowered through the promotion of open communication and consultation, along with a sense of independence and responsibility in their own work. 

Quality, Research and Achievements

Speech Pathology excels in quality initiatives for patient-centred care.

Recent projects:

• Development of the CALD Assist app

• Improving the Inpatient Experience for People with Autism project
  

• Involvement in the Aphasia ASK (Action Success Knowledge) Study (national randomised controlled trial)
  

• Post-Extubation Dysphagia Flowchart

• Global Mealtime Guide

• Cleft Lip and Palate information packs for patients and families
  

• Development of the multi-disciplinary Growth and Nutrition Clinic