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Speech Language Therapy | Counties Manukau | Te Whatu Ora

Public Service, Allied Health, Speech Language Therapy

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Description

Formerly Counties Manukau Health Speech Language Therapy

What is Speech Language Therapy?

Speech Language Therapy involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of a person’s speech, language, cognition, voice, eating, drinking or swallowing. Such disorders may originate in the brain, ear or anywhere along the vocal tract.

Common treatments may involve activities using words and pictures to assist in communication, physical strengthening exercises, and teaching strategies that help to develop effective communication and make swallowing safer.

Speech language therapists may work in hospital wards or in outpatient departments with babies, children or adults with conditions ranging from feeding difficulties in infants, children with speech or language disorders to adults with communication problems following stroke.

What is a Speech Language Therapist?

Speech Language Therapists are qualified health professionals who work with adults, children or babies with communication disorders and/or difficulty swallowing food and/or drink. Communication disorders can involve impairments of one or more communication modalities, which include speech, writing, reading, signs, symbols and gestures.

Counties Manukau Health Speech Language Therapists can provide: 

  • assessment and differential diagnosis of communication and/or swallowing difficulty
  • intervention, which may be therapy and/or management
  • information, education, advice, and support to patients, carers and families
  • interdisciplinary casework management with the wider clinical team
  • collaboration and liaison with community groups such as the Volunteer Stroke Scheme, Stroke Association, Parkinson’s NZ, Motor Neuron Disease Association, Talk Link Trust
  • assessment and advice about use of communication aids.

Conditions that may require SLT input include but are not limited to:

  • stroke
  • cancer - head and neck, brain, and lung

  • progressive neurological conditions – such as:
    •  - Parkinson’s Disease / Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
    •  - Multiple Systems Atrophy
    •  - Huntington’s disease
    •  - Motor Neuron Disease
    •  - Multiple Sclerosis
    •  - Dementia
    •  - Primary Progressive Aphasia
    •  - Friedreich’s Ataxia
    •  - Muscular Dystrophy
  • intellectual disability (dysphagia cases)

  • trauma to head and neck or spine

  • congenital conditions.

  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  • palliative care.

Exclusions:

Children (can be referred to the Ministry of Education, Special Education services, or Kidz First Child Development Team).

Residents in a Private Hospital or Rest Home. Speech-Language Therapy services need to be contracted privately by the Resthome/Private Hospital. Private therapists can be found on: www.speechtherapy.org.nz

Referral Expectations

For a referral to access Speech Language Therapy Services please contact your GP or specialist.

Fees and Charges Description

Services are free for NZ residents.

Hours

Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Services

Acute Allied Health (AAH)

Adult inpatient services. We work as part of the multidisciplinary team on the adult medical and surgical wards. We see patients on a referral basis regarding disorders of speech, language, voice and cognition as well as swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). In acute care the focus is on diagnosis and early management of these disorder groups. For more information about Acute Allied Health click here

Adult inpatient services.

We work as part of the multidisciplinary team on the adult medical and surgical wards. We see patients on a referral basis regarding disorders of speech, language, voice and cognition as well as swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). In acute care the focus is on diagnosis and early management of these disorder groups.

For more information about Acute Allied Health click here

Assessment, Treatment & Rehabilitation Services (AT&R)

Adult inpatient rehabilitation services. Comprehensive assessment and management of adults aged over 16 years in AT&R (short term inpatient rehabilitation) with acquired communication and/or swallowing disorders. For more information about Services for Older Persons click here

Adult inpatient rehabilitation services.

Comprehensive assessment and management of adults aged over 16 years in AT&R (short term inpatient rehabilitation) with acquired communication and/or swallowing disorders. 

For more information about Services for Older Persons click here

Counties Manukau Home Healthcare Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)

We see adults aged 16 years and older who present with swallowing and/or communication difficulties. We provide: •Assessment and differential diagnosis of communication and/or swallowing difficulty. Intervention, which may be therapy and/or management. Information, education, advice, and support to patients, carers and families. Interdisciplinary casework management with the wider clinical team. Collaborate and liaise with community groups such as the Volunteer Stroke Scheme, Stroke Association, Parkinson’s NZ, Motor Neuron Disease Association, Talk Link Trust. Assess and advice around communication aids. Conditions that may require SLT input include but are not limited to: Cancer- head and neck, brain, and lung. Neurodegenerative diseases e.g. Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s disease, Multiple Systems Atrophy, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Friedreich’s Ataxia, Muscular Dystrophy. Intellectual Disability (dysphagia cases). Chronic Stroke (post 2 years). Trauma to head and neck or spine. Old age. Congenital conditions. COPD. Palliative care. Exclusions: - Children (can be referred to the Ministry of Education, Special Education services, or Kidz First Child development Team). - Residents in a Private Hospital or Rest Home. Speech-Language Therapy services need to be contracted privately by the Rest Home/Private Hospital. Private therapists can be found on: www.speechtherapy.org.nz

We see adults aged 16 years and older who present with swallowing and/or communication difficulties.

We provide:

  • •Assessment and differential diagnosis of communication and/or swallowing difficulty.
  • Intervention, which may be therapy and/or management.
  • Information, education, advice, and support to patients, carers and families.
  • Interdisciplinary casework management with the wider clinical team.
  • Collaborate and liaise with community groups such as the Volunteer Stroke Scheme,   Stroke Association, Parkinson’s NZ, Motor Neuron Disease Association, Talk Link Trust.
  • Assess and advice around communication aids.

Conditions that may require SLT input include but are not limited to:

  • Cancer- head and neck, brain, and lung.
  • Neurodegenerative diseases e.g. Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s disease,  Multiple Systems Atrophy, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia,  Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Friedreich’s Ataxia, Muscular Dystrophy.
  • Intellectual Disability (dysphagia cases).
  • Chronic Stroke (post 2 years).
  • Trauma to head and neck or spine.
  • Old age.
  • Congenital conditions.
  • COPD.
  • Palliative care.

Exclusions:

Children (can be referred to the Ministry of Education, Special Education services, or Kidz First Child development Team).

Residents in a Private Hospital or Rest Home. Speech-Language Therapy services need to be contracted privately by the Rest Home/Private Hospital. Private therapists can be found on: www.speechtherapy.org.nz

Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team (CSR)

Adult community service for stroke rehabilitation. The Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team (CSR) provides a client centred, culturally appropriate, goal focused, interdisciplinary rehabilitation service for stroke in the environment of choice, across the spectrum of physical function, activity and social participation. For more information about the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team click here

Adult community service for stroke rehabilitation.

The Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team (CSR) provides a client centred, culturally appropriate, goal focused, interdisciplinary rehabilitation service for stroke in the environment of choice, across the spectrum of physical function, activity and social participation.

For more information about the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team click here

Voice/ORL Clinic

Speech Language Therapy Service ORL/ENT Department This is a part-time outpatient service providing assessment and therapy for adults with voice disorders. Any person with persistent hoarseness must have been assessed by an Otolaryngologist prior to referral for voice therapy. Voice difficulties (dysphonia) may be experienced in a number of ways, including hoarseness; loss of voice; reduced volume; changes in pitch or reduced pitch range; fatigue on talking; or vocal strain when speaking. Service provided The Speech Language Therapist will carry out an objective assessment of voice quality. Causative factors will be discussed and a programme of voice therapy provided. Voice therapy is tailored to the needs of the individual, following diagnosis of the cause of the dysphonia. Treatment may include voice rest; advice and strategies on voice care and optimal voice use; and voice therapy using targeted techniques and exercises. Voice therapy may be provided alongside medical and/or surgical intervention. A combined Voice Clinic is held at CMDHB and includes a stroboscopic assessment with the ORL Consultant and ORL Speech Language Therapist. Exclusions Adults living at home who require ongoing intervention from Speech Language Therapy for management of swallowing difficulties should be referred to Home Health Care. Hours of Service This service is available Mon-Wed Contact Details ORL, Manukau SuperClinic Internal Fax: 3634

Speech Language Therapy Service
ORL/ENT Department
This is a part-time outpatient service providing assessment and therapy for adults with voice disorders. Any person with persistent hoarseness must have been assessed by an Otolaryngologist prior to referral for voice therapy.

 
Voice difficulties (dysphonia) may be experienced in a number of ways, including hoarseness; loss of voice; reduced volume; changes in pitch or reduced pitch range; fatigue on talking; or vocal strain when speaking.
 
 
Service provided
The Speech Language Therapist will carry out an objective assessment of voice quality. Causative factors will be discussed and a programme of voice therapy provided. Voice therapy is tailored to the needs of the individual, following diagnosis of the cause of the dysphonia.
 
Treatment may include voice rest; advice and strategies on voice care and optimal voice use; and voice therapy using targeted techniques and exercises. Voice therapy may be provided alongside medical and/or surgical intervention.
 

A combined Voice Clinic is held at CMDHB and includes a stroboscopic assessment with the ORL Consultant and ORL Speech Language Therapist.

Exclusions
Adults living at home who require ongoing intervention from Speech Language Therapy for management of swallowing difficulties should be referred to Home Health Care.

 
Hours of Service
This service is available Mon-Wed
 
Contact Details
ORL, Manukau SuperClinic     Internal Fax: 3634
Kidz First

We work as part of the multidisciplinary team on the NICU, Kidz First, and maternity wards. We see patients on a referral basis regarding disorders of swallowing/feeding difficulties, speech, language, and voice. In acute care the focus is on diagnosis and early management of these disorder groups. For more information about Acute Allied Health click here

We work as part of the multidisciplinary team on the NICU, Kidz First, and maternity wards. We see patients on a referral basis regarding disorders of swallowing/feeding difficulties, speech, language, and voice. In acute care the focus is on diagnosis and early management of these disorder groups.

For more information about Acute Allied Health click here

Kidz First Child Development Team

Community paediatric service for children with disabilities. A community based service team, providing therapy and social work to assist children with disabilities (including Down syndrome, global developmental delay and cleft lip and/or palate) and their family/whanau achieve their full potential in their daily lives. We work with children in schools, kindergartens, home, community, clinics and recreation centres. Speech Language Therapists work with children between 0 and 3 years of age and their families who have been referred with communication and/or feeding difficulties. Children with communication difficulties will only be seen for Speech Language Therapy if they require another therapy (such as Physiotherapy) as well. The service provides assessment and treatment of: feeding and swallowing early communication skills language disorder and/or delay speech disorders feeding and swallowing AAC – Alternative and Augmentative Communication For more information about Kidz First Child Development Services click here

Community paediatric service for children with disabilities.

A community based service team, providing therapy and social work to assist children with disabilities (including Down syndrome, global developmental delay and cleft lip and/or palate) and their family/whanau achieve their full potential in their daily lives. We work with children in schools, kindergartens, home, community, clinics and recreation centres.

Speech Language Therapists work with children between 0 and 3 years of age and their families who have been referred with communication and/or feeding difficulties. Children with communication difficulties will only be seen for Speech Language Therapy if they require another therapy (such as Physiotherapy) as well.

The service provides assessment and treatment of: 

  • feeding and swallowing
  • early communication skills 
  • language disorder and/or delay 
  • speech disorders 
  • feeding and swallowing 
  • AAC – Alternative and Augmentative Communication 

For more information about Kidz First Child Development Services click here

Contact Details

Middlemore Hospital

South Auckland

Patient Enquiries (09) 276 5004 or 0800 266 513
Information or Visiting Hours (09) 270 4799
 
Outpatient appointments & surgical booking enquiries:
Ph (09) 277 1660  or O800 266 513
Email: customerservice@cmdhb.org.nz

Emergency Department: Open 24 hours / 7 days, Phone (09) 276 0000 or
FREEPHONE 0800 266 513

Middlemore Hospital
Hospital Road
Otahuhu
Auckland

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Street Address

Middlemore Hospital
Hospital Road
Ōtāhuhu
Auckland

Postal Address

Private Bag 93311
Ōtāhuhu
Auckland 1640
New Zealand

This page was last updated at 11:35AM on March 14, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Speech Language Therapy | Counties Manukau | Te Whatu Ora.