Sign In
HomeHospitals and ServicesSpeech Pathology (for adults) - Royal North Shore Hospital

Speech Pathology (for adults) - Royal North Shore Hospital

Level 3 - Entry Level

ASB - Acute Service Buidling

Royal North Shore Hospital

Reserve Rd

St Leonards

2065

Map view

Speech Pathology (for adults) - Royal North Shore Hospital

Adults 17-64 years

• Phone: (02) 9463 1622

• Fax: (02) 9463 1067

• Email: NSLHD-RNS-SpeechPathology@health.nsw.gov.au

 

 

Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 16:30

 What we do

We provide assessment, diagnosis, intervention and treatment for patients with communication, swallowing and voice disorders.
 
We care for and treat people with:

  • Speech (articulation, stuttering, acquired or progressive neurological disorders)
  • Language (acquired difficulties with word knowledge, syntax, semantics, language processing, listening and the social aspects of communication). This also includes the comprehension and expression of spoken, written, non-verbal (signs symbols and gestures) modalities
  • Cognitive communication (attention, memory, problem solving, executive functions)
  • Oral, pharyngeal and upper oesophageal swallowing function (acquired dysphagia)
  • Voice (abnormal quality such as rough, breathy and/or strained or difficulties pitch and volume modulation) 
  • Tracheostomy management, including facilitation of verbal speech with tracheostomy, swallowing with tracheostomy and decannulation pathways
  • Augmentative and alternative communication (picture or alphabet boards, voice output technology)
  • Head and neck management, including surgical laryngectomy voice restoration and swallowing.
  • Burns management involving scar management for orofacial contractures including splinting, massaging and stretching as well as voice and swallow management 

 What to bring

 When to visit us

Your GP or non-GP specialist is always your first step in seeking treatment for any condition. You will be referred to our service if your treating doctor feels that your treatment requires the input of a Speech Pathologist.
All referrals should clearly state the reason for referral including the current communication and swallowing status and any history of the signs and symptoms.
Once we receive a referral it will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the outcome and next steps. We see patients either face to face or via telehealth – our team will let you know what the best option for you is.
If you have a scheduled appointment, you will receive a reminder text message a few days prior. Please note that phone calls from the hospital will appear as a blocked number.
Please allow ample time for your appointment. Some patients require longer reviews and unplanned delays may occur.
 

 How to visit us

Exit off Pacific Highway and the M1 will take you to the hospital on Reserve Road in St Leonards

Bus Route 114 stops directly at the hospital

The hospital is close to St Leonards train station

The hospital is a 5 minute walk from St Leonards Station

Street and multi storey car parking are available on the Royal North Shore hospital campus. Fees apply, so please check signage. Concession parking rates are available for patients and carers. Click here for more details.

The Speech Pathology Clinic is located on the ground level (level 3) at Check in D.
Upon entering the main door of the hospital walk directly down past the orange lifts and turn right to Ambulatory Care, then turn left. Speech Pathology reception is at Check In D. Please inform a staff member at Check In D you are here to see Speech Pathology. You do not need to take a number.

 

 Referral information

We accept outpatient referrals for swallowing, voice, head and neck oncology, and burns. A referral needs to be completed by one of the following:

• GP
• Medical specialist
• Speech Pathologist


Individuals are eligible for our outpatient service if they meet the following criteria:
• Reside within the NSLHD
• Are under the age of 65, and
• Do not have a competing funding package including NDIS


Should your concern fall out of these areas, or if you do not meet the eligibility criteria, you will need to consider seeking speech pathology through the Royal North Shore Hospital Community Health Centre or with a private clinician.


• Website: Aged Care Community Allied Health - for individuals 65 years and over
• Find a private Speech Pathologist at speechpathologyaustralia.org.au


We do not have a designated referral form, however all referrals should clearly state the reason for referral including the current communication and swallowing status and any history of the signs and symptoms.


VFSS & FEES
We accept referrals for any eligible individual requiring a Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) or a Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). Please see service directory page for these clinics for more information.


Voice and Swallow Clinic
We accept referrals for any individual who would benefit from a joint ENT and Speech Pathology assessment. You do need to reside in the NSLHD to attend this clinic. Please see service directory page for this clinic for more information.

 Other information

Our Team

Head of Department - MaryEllen Tarrant

Lead Videofluroscopy Swallow clinic ( Radiology) - Gemma Swain

Lead Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow - Jess Tam

Lead Peadeatric Feeding clinic - Krystal Fury

Lead Voice and Swallow Clinic - Danielle Stone

 

 Related links