Speech Pathology

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Assessment and management of adult and paediatric communication and swallowing disorders. See below for more detail.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

THS Southern Region

Adult: Community based speech pathology services for adults living in the community requiring support with communication and/or swallowing. Speech Pathology outpatient clinics for people with voice disorders and laryngectomy. Speech Pathologists also attend RHH Outpatient Clinics, e.g. for people with head and neck cancer.

Paediatric: Paediatric outpatients seen as part of RHH clinics (eg CLP clinic), through the Cochlear Implant Team, or for specialist feeding intervention. Developmental speech and language assessment/therapy not offered.


THS Northern Region

Information unavailable at this time.


THS North West Region

Paediatric: Babies with feeding difficulty and preschool aged children who have delay or disorder of fluency, speech or language are seen as outpatients at the Devonport Community and Health Services Centre.

Infants and older children with feeding difficulties are seen at the multidisciplinary Feeding Clinic at the Mersey Community Hospital.

Adults: Limited outpatient services for disorders of voice, fluency, communication and swallowing are provided at the North West Regional Hospital and the Mersey Community Hospital.

A Community Speech Pathologist provides services to community based clients eligible against the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) that includes frail aged people, and younger people with a disability.

Emergency conditions

Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):

  • Known or suspected dysphagia with aspiration pneumonia and/or weight loss

Referral process

ENT referral required for voice therapy, and paediatrician referral required for outpatient feeding clinic.

A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians. eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in all THS regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.

Please forward relevant private investigation results and ask patients to bring current medication list and if appropriate any relevant x-rays.

Clinic Appointments: Appointments are based on clinical priority and availability of the client. Wait times are usually between two days and six weeks, depending on the urgency of the presentation.

Referral template

For use by health professionals only

Additional information

Referrals may be discussed with the Community Rehabilitation Unit or Disability Services, St Giles, or Department of Education Speech Pathologists and transferred if another service better suits the client's needs.

Please specify on the referral if you are not willing for this to happen.