Is this service right for me?
If your swallowing or communication needs directly relate to a neurological condition, respiratory condition, frailty or end of life, you can explore what to expect from our service by selecting the “How can we help you?” buttons on the home page.
If you do not have one of these conditions then our service is not the right fit for your needs. We have included information below about other needs and where to refer or who to contact instead.
| Population | Definition | Signposting information |
| The patient is under 18 | ||
| 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. |
Alternative services
| Population | Definition | Signposting information |
| Adults with a diagnosis of Autism |
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| 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 |
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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 |
| 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 if they meet our service criteria |
| Long standing mental health condition |
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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
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| Population | Definition | Signposting information |
| Adults with head and neck cancer |
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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 |
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| 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 |
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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 |
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Medical referral to Gastroenterology and (or) signposting to psychological therapists for support with self-management and anxiety. |
| 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 |
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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 |
| Population | Definition | Signposting information |
| People living in a care home | People living in care home with a Leeds GP. | Please access further information on the home age under ‘I work in a care home’. |
