The move to Forth Valley Royal Hospital provides an exciting opportunity to centralise some speech and language therapy services. This will help to ensure that people get a service of high quality and consistency throughout Forth Valley.

Staff will be providing a whole area service to people with voice problems and Parkinsons disease. Staff will also be developing group therapy opportunities for patients with communication disorders and their carers.

Contact Number

01324 566591

What does assessment involve?

For an assessment appointment, the therapist will listen to and observe how an individual communicates through conversation, and may use more formal assessments designed to look at specific aspects of speech, language, voice and / or swallowing.  It may be appropriate to record a person's speech.  They will discuss how the individual and their family or carer sees the problem and also any relevant medical and family background.  This may take more than one visit, depending on the complexity of the problem.

Do patients need to bring anything to appointments?

Where appropriate, individuals should bring anything normally used to support communication with others, such as a communication folder or communication aid.  If a questionnaire has been provided with the appointment information it should be completed and brought. 

Does anyone else need to be involved? 

Sometimes it can be helpful to have a relative accompany an individual to their appointments to support the assessment or rehabilitation process.  It may also be appropriate for the therapist to discuss treatment with doctors and other relevant professionals.  If this gives rise to any concern, it should be discussed with the therapist.  Reports of assessment are routinely given to the person who made the referral.

Cancelling appointments

Contact should be made with the department at the number above. Appointments cancelled in good time can be offered to another person and can help to reduce waiting lists.

Failure to attend

If someone fails to attend their first appointment without letting the department know, they will be discharged.  If a person who is receiving regular therapy fails to attend two appointments in a row without letting the department know, they will also be discharged.

What happens if English is not the patient's first language?

It is helpful if information about an individual's first language is shared at the time of referral.  Speech and Language Therapy staff are aware of the complexities involved when bilingualism and communication disorders are combined. Support from family members and/or interpreters will be sought as necessary.

What to do if you have any concerns

Discuss these with your named therapist or contact:

Anne Marie Irving
Speech & Language Therapy Coordinator - Adults
Forth Valley Royal Hospital
Stirling Road
Larbert
FK5 4WR

01324 566691

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