Speech and Language Therapy: An Incredibly Rewarding Job Despite Challenges
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According to senior speech and language therapists, despite challenges in staffing and waiting lists, speech and language therapy (SLT) remains an incredibly rewarding profession. These therapists provide support to people of all ages, from pre-term babies learning to suck to individuals at the end of their lives who require assistance to swallow and communicate with loved ones and caregivers. They make a real difference in people’s lives by assisting them after injury or illness and supporting them to remain in their own homes or care homes rather than being hospitalized.
Charlotte Colesby, the speech and language therapy services manager at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, has been an SLT for over 30 years and finds it to be “fabulous” and “incredibly rewarding.”
Communication, for Colesby, is the foundation of what makes us human, and supporting children or adults to communicate after a stroke or other conditions is rewarding. SLTs can also assist people in hospitals to return home safely by ensuring they can communicate and eat and drink.
Ruth Rayner, who is the head of speech and language therapy and integrated children’s therapies at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said that the profession has changed significantly in the 36 years she has been working. There is more work in assessing and supporting autistic children and patients with swallowing needs, and the demand has gone up, affecting waiting lists. SLTs can work with other services and teach others, such as school staff, to offer regular support to individuals.
SLTs qualify through a degree, a two-year master’s program, or an apprenticeship scheme in England, which allows individuals to study as they work. There is no limit to how far one can progress in this profession, according to Mrs. Rayner, as there are plenty of opportunities to develop skills and
become more specialized. The profession is relatively young, and the evidence base continues to expand, which requires SLTs to work according to the evidence base.
Staff Reporter
