‘Major concern’ on NHS speech therapy cutbacks

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) has expressed worries that speech therapy for children are being cut back as a result of financial difficulties affecting the NHS.

RCSLT comments that, while some see communication therapy as supplementary to other treatment, it is in fact a crucial component of a care pathway.

The group observed that the government focuses on doctors in its consideration of care pathways, neglecting the contribution of other healthcare professionals, including speech therapists.

Kamini Gadhok, chief executive of RCSLT, said: “I would say that we are facing major concerns at the moment, particularly with the current financial NHS financial situation where speech therapy services are being cut back.”

She added that NHS speech therapy services are offered to vulnerable groups, such as children suffering from autism, noting that the RCSLT was collecting data regarding the services most affected by these cutbacks.

The RCSLT is the professional body for language and speech therapists and support workers. The organisation aims to influence social and healthcare policies and promote the best practice in the field.

As part of its strategic plan, the RCSLT intends to strengthen the position of speech therapists in the UK workforce by 2009.