Tell us what you think about our website and if there is anything we can improve. Complete our survey and share your thoughts.

Skip to content
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust Logo

Speech and Swallowing team (adults)

We work with adults over 18 who have problems with speaking, understanding, or swallowing that affect their daily life. We work closely with families, caregivers, and other healthcare providers to give the best care and treatment. Our team specifically helps people with communication or swallowing issues, including those with long-term conditions or nearing the end of life.

alt=null

Who we are

  • We are a team of speech and language therapists (SLTs) who are healthcare professionals.
  • We help adults with communication and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).

When should I see the Speech and Swallowing team?

  • You should see an SLT if you are concerned about your speech and swallowing.
  • If you are concerned about your speech and swallowing then a healthcare professional can refer you to SLT (your GP, for example).

What should I expect in my initial appointment?

  • Your first appointment will involve taking a case history and assessment of your communication and/or swallowing needs.
  • This will allow us to identify how our service may be able to help you and recommend appropriate therapy options.
  • The initial appointment may be carried out in our clinic or at your home. This will be discussed when booking.

What will happen after my initial appointment?

  • You might be referred to other healthcare professionals (like physiotherapy, dietetics, or occupational therapy) to help manage your symptoms.
  • We may suggest a therapy plan that could help you, such as individual therapy, group therapy, or virtual sessions, if needed.
  • You might only need one assessment, where you’ll receive advice and information on what to watch for and when to ask for further help.

What will therapy be like?

  • Therapy will focus on helping you with your communication and/or swallowing difficulties.
  • The therapy programme will be tailored to your needs, based on your assessment results and how your symptoms are currently affecting your life.

Therapy may include, but is not limited to:

  • Exercises to help improve your swallowing.
  • Individual speech and swallowing therapy sessions, either at your home or in a clinic.
  • Group therapy sessions for speech and swallowing.
  • Helping your family, friends, and carers understand how they can support you and assist with your needs.

For more information, visit swallowing problems (dysphagia)

Referrals

Referrals can be made to the Speech and Swallowing team via your GP or any heath or social care professional including senior care home staff, using:

For professionals, the referral form can be found on Leeds Care Pathways.

Signposting to services

Population Definition Signposting information
The patient is under 18 Leeds Community Healthcare: Children speech and language therapy
The person is aged 18 to 25 and in education Their communication or swallowing needs relate to accessing education Please refer to the SENCO at their school or college.

People with neurodiversity and or a learning disability

Population Definition Signposting information
Adults with a diagnosis of Autism
  • Suspected or diagnosed autism spectrum disorder
  • The communication or swallowing need or goal is directly related to their autism diagnosis
  • No learning disability
Adults who have had dyslexia since childhood The patient has goals or needs directly related to their dyslexia Contact local adult dyslexia services or charities such as Dyslexia Action UK
Adults with other neurodiverse conditions
  • Suspected or confirmed diagnosis
  • The communication or swallowing need or goal is directly related to their neurodiversity
 Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust: Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) service
Adults with communication or swallowing difficulties who have a diagnosis of learning disability The patient’s learning disability makes it difficult for them to access or benefit from mainstream services Please refer to LYPFT Single Point of Access.
If you are unsure, we will forward these referrals and have a mechanism for discussing them to determine the best service

People with mental health conditions

Population Definition Signposting information
Inpatients in a mental health facility May be LYPFT or a private hospital provider Service provider to provide a service through their commissioning arrangements.
The patient can be referred after discharge into the community
Long standing mental health condition
  • The patient’s swallowing or communication needs are directly related to their mental health condition
  • There is no significant physical or neurological explanation for their difficulties
 There is currently no locally commissioned service for this patient group.
In the case of un-commissioned services, you may like to contact:

NHS West Yorkshire ICB-Leeds Office

People with specific conditions

Population Definition Signposting information
Adults with head and neck cancer
  • Not red or yellow on GSF or for end of life pathway
  • Under a head and neck consultant
  • May have a history of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (possibly presenting with late effects)
Contact head and neck speech and language therapy at LTHT via email: ltht-tr.sltreferrals@nhs.net
Adults with diagnosis of motor neurone disease Confirmed diagnosis, Leeds or elsewhere Please refer to the SLT specialist for MND at Leeds General Infirmary via ltht-tr.sltreferrals@nhs.net
Symptoms of reflux Symptoms defined by reflux symptom index
  • Liaise with GP for reflux medication, lifestyle advice or for a referral to gastroenterology if symptoms persist
  • Where there is a possibility of co-existing reflux and signs or symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia, please treat reflux first, as SLT assessment will be unreliable in the context of unmanaged reflux
  • Signposting to psychological therapies for support with self-management and anxiety

People with swallowing issues

Population Definition Signposting information
Problems swallowing tablets No other reported swallowing difficulty Liaise with GP or Pharmacy to see if medication can be taken in alternative form
Functional swallowing difficulties
  • Difficulty swallowing despite normal investigations (Barium swallow, Video-fluoroscopy, endoscopy)
  • No neurological diagnosis
  • No confirmed diagnosis of functional neurological disorder (FND)
 The throat is a highly sensate place and can be an area where emotional or psychological issues are somatised. Please consider whether this patient’s presentation could be related to anxiety or psychological factors and consider a referral to the appropriate mental health support.
Oesophageal dysphagia
  • Symptoms of food sticking around suprasternal notch (between collar bones) or in chest area
  • Regurgitation
  • Vomiting
  • Known oesophageal stricture or cancer
 Medical referral to Gastroenterology and (or) signposting to psychological therapists for support with self-management and anxiety.

People with communication needs

Population Definition Signposting information
The person needs an electronic “high tech” communication aid or environmental control They have a low-tech communication device such as pen and paper, alphabet chart. Refer to Leeds Communication Aids Service (LCAS) via LCH Children’s SLT or Barnsley Assistive Technology Team. Referral forms can be accessed from Leeds Community Healthcare: Leeds Communication Aid Service
Adults who are dysfluent, have a stutter or stammer
  • Developmental and acquired dysfluency
  • Children and adults.
 Patients are encouraged to self-refer via the LCH website, Children’s SLT, but can also be referred by a clinician
Adults with voice problems Not associated with Parkinson’s Disease Refer to ENT for further investigations, for example, nasendoscopy. If specialist input is indicated an ENT Consultant can refer directly to an ENT specialist speech and language therapist.
If the patient has had a recent ENT examination, a direct referral can be made to ENT speech and language therapy in Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust by email via ltht-tr.sltrefrrals@nhs.net

Care home support information

Care home guidance
Communication in Dementia
Swallowing problems (Dysphagia)
survey icon
Tell us what you think

We would love to know what you think of our website and if there is anything we can improve.

Complete our survey and share your thoughts.