Speech Pathology Adults - Royal North Shore Hospital

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 

• Relevant images/scans/test results 
• List of current medications and drug allergies 
• Your referral letter from your GP/Specialist 
• Your Medicare/DVA Card 

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.

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

To ensure that our resources are directed towards those in most need we have a selection criteria to determine what problems can be seen in our clinic. The below information is mainly for GPs and other referring clinicians. 

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.

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.

Providing more information will aid the triage process and make it more likely that your patient will be seen in the most timely manner possible. 

Please submit referrals using the eReferral system through HealthLink, which can be accessed through most clinical software systems.

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.

Our Team

Head of Department - Mary Ellen 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

Speech Pathology Australia – Find a Speech Pathologist