Speech Pathology Adult Inpatient and Outpatient Services - Hornsby Hospital

We provide an inpatient and outpatient service.

We provide the following service to adults who are experiencing communication and swallowing difficulties:

•  Assessment / Consultation of communication and swallowing impairments
•  Communication therapy
•  Voice therapy
•  Swallowing management and review
•  Swallowing rehabilitation, including sEMG
•  LSVT services for Parkinson's disease
•  LSVT maintenance group
•  Swallowing x-rays (Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study-VFSS, also known as Modified Barium Swallow)

We care for and treat people with a range of conditions, including:

•  Stroke
•  Parkinson's disease
•  Other neurological conditions, such as Motor Neurone Disease, Primary Progressive Aphasia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, etc.
•  Dementia
•  Head injuries
•  Head and neck surgery
•  Voice difficulties
•  Respiratory difficulties
•  Or the patient may have no known problem, however still experiencing communication and/or swallowing difficulties

In addition to the services described above, the Speech Pathology Department provides a number of specialty services:

Videofluorscopic Swallow Study- VFSS (Also known as Modified Barium Swallow Examination)

A Videofluoroscopic Swallow study (VFSS) is a moving x-ray of swallowing. It allows visualisation of oral and pharyngeal structure, examines physiology with different food/fluid types, bolus sizes and effect of compensatory strategies. A bedside/clinical examination by a Speech Pathologist is usually conducted before a VFSS.

FEES

Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is an objective swallow assessment that allows for direct visualisation of the structures and physiology of swallowing. This is performed at the patient's bedside or in the Speech Pathology clinic in Bernard Curran Rehabilitation Unit. This enables assessment of swallow function, compensatory swallow positions or techniques and can be used as biofeedback for the patient in swallow therapy.

Lee Silverman Voice Therapy

LSVT stands for the Lee Silverman Voice Technique. It is an extensively researched intensive voice treatment program developed to improve the speech and voice in patients with Parkinson's disease. The goal is to improve the intelligibility of a person's speech by increasing vocal loudness. There is also evidence to demonstrate improvements in vocal quality, speech articulation, facial expression, posture and swallowing. Individuals who participate in LSVT are first required to attend an ENT examination to make sure there are no contraindications to participating in therapy.

Medicare Card

Medical background or referral from GP if you have one (not a requirement)

Any previous Speech Pathology reports

To access this service you may refer yourself or be referred by your family, health professional, GP or specialist.

You must have a communication or swallowing problem.

You must be over the age of 18 and living in the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai local government areas.

A referral is required for a swallowing x-ray (Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study). A GP or Specialist must complete a medical imaging request form, requesting a 'Modified Barium Swallow' and include any relevant medical history.

• Self referral
• GP referral
• Allied Health referral
• Medical referral

Whilst a GP referral for general Speech Pathology services is not required, GP may still provide this or a letter outlining medical background. Any referral documentation can be sent to the Speech Pathology Department via email NSLHD-HKH-SpeechPathology@health.nsw.gov.au

Is there a cost to patients to attend the clinic?

No

• Speech Pathology Australia