Speech Pathology

Clinical service overview

We care for:

• Inpatients at all three hospital sites, and those that have been referred for follow-up care on discharge
• People in the community who are referred to the Caulfield Community Health Service or the Community Rehabilitation Program.

We have staff at all three hospital sites and provide a service to all units within the hospital. Each of our departments offers a variety of specialised services which can respond to your specific needs.

Inpatients and outpatients with a range of problems including disorders of swallowing, communication and voice may be referred. These problems can arise from:

• Brain injuries including stroke and brain tumours
• Progressive neurological conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease or Parkinson's Disease
• Cancer affecting the head and neck structures
• Burns affecting the head and neck region
• Respiratory / breathing difficulties including tracheostomy tubes

Our service includes:

• Speech and language assessments
• Assessment and management of swallowing disorders including videofluoroscopy procedures (x-ray of swallowing) and FEES (fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallow) assessments
• Cognitive assessment and therapy
• Individualised therapy programs to remediate communication disorders
• Group therapy programs, including memory, and communication groups
• Return to Work/Study Program
• Provision of alternative communication devices and strategies
• Education and counselling to family and carers
• Referral to other external agencies as appropriate

The Sandringham Speech Pathology Department also provides an outpatient videofluoroscopy service to patients from Bentleigh Bayside Community Health (referral required).