Our Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service works with adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking or swallowing.
We are a small team with one full-time Speech and Language Therapist and one part-time Speech and Language Therapist.
We work with people over 18 years old to improve their quality of life and independence.
The adult service is split into two pathways:
Adult Pathway
This pathway is for adults who have communication or swallowing difficulties because of:
- Acquired conditions, such as stroke or brain injury
- Progressive conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), motor neurone disease (MND), multiple sclerosis (MS) and dementia
- Voice problems
- Cancer of the head, neck and throat
- Stammering
We work together to:
- Find out what is already working well
- Establish what is important to you
- Discuss how speech therapy might help you
- Come up with a plan to try and meet your goals
With permission, we will also work with your family and friends. If it is relevant, we will also work with other health professionals involved in your life.
We work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and in the community. We can also offer virtual appointments.
Adults with Learning Disabilities Pathway
This specialist pathway is for adults with learning disabilities who may need support with:
- Understanding and expressing themselves
- Making choices and being understood
- Social interaction
- Eating and drinking safely
We aim to help people to communicate in ways that work best for them. This might include speech, signs, symbols or communication aids.
We support people to build relationships, to engage with others and to participate in everyday life.
We work with carers and staff to support them to communicate more effectively with the people they support.
We contribute to assessments around decision-making and support individuals to have their voices heard.
We assess eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties to ensure that meals are safe and enjoyable.
We work closely with other professionals and agencies including:
- Occupational Therapy
- Learning Disability and Autism Nursing
- Social Work
- Specialist Services in NHS Grampian
- Care Providers
- Hospital Staff
We see people in the setting that works best for them e.g. home, day centre, clinic, hospital.
How to get help
We have an open referral system which means that anyone can contact us to ask for support.
Anyone can make a referral/request for assistance by completing our referral/request for assistance form
We are based at The Balfour, Foreland Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1NZ
You can phone us on 01856 888239 or email ork.speechandlangaugetherapy@nhs.scot