Speech Pathology

What we do

Speech pathologists treat people with communication and swallowing difficulties. We work with the other members of your medical team to provide care whilst in hospital or when you are home.

The Speech Pathology department provides assessment, diagnosis and management of speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders to inpatients from all units in the Hospital as well as several outpatient services.

Who we care for

The speech pathology department provides services to patients who are admitted to St Vincent’s public hospital or Sacred Heart hospital. We see outpatients who live in our catchment area, are receiving outpatient treatment at the hospital, or have been discharged from hospital and need ongoing specialist care.

Our Services

Inpatient Hospital Services

St Vincent’s Public Hospital

Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Ward

Sacred Heart Palliative Care

Outpatient Services

Voice

  • Voice Clinic: Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) and Speech Pathology
    St Vincent’s Voice Clinic is held once a month and provides direct assessment of your vocal folds by a Speech Pathologist and an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist. A referral from your GP is required to attend the Voice Clinic. Individualised treatment programs are offered to patients who require ongoing management of their voice disorder.

Speech

Language

  • weekly communication group for people living with aphasia, with an emphasis on both communication skills and social participation.

Swallowing

  • Dysphagia screening clinic
  • Videofluoroscopy Clinic (VFSS - swallowing assessment via x-ray).
    A weekly clinic is held to assess swallowing function in patients with swallowing disorders. This diagnostic procedure enables the speech pathologists to develop management plans for the patient which include giving advice about the most appropriate diet and swallowing treatment program. 
  • Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallow (FEES – swallow assessment via endoscopy).
    An assessment tool we can use to evaluate swallowing function and guide the treatment of dysphagia using a nasendoscope.

Head and Neck Cancer

  • Pre-treatment assessment and management
  • Communication, swallowing and mouth opening
  • Laryngectomy Clinic
  • Combined Radiotherapy Oncology Clinic

How to access this service

We accept referrals for inpatients from health professionals within St Vincent’s Hospital. Patients can request a speech pathology referral through their treating team.

We require a medical referral for all outpatient clinics and services.

Please send referrals to:

Level 4 Aikenhead Building, St Vincent’s Hospital (public), 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010

Tel: 02 83823372

Fax: 02 83823687

What to bring

  • Medicare card
  • Healthcare card/concession card
  • Relevant reports from other health professionals
  • Anything you need that supports you to communicate, for example glasses, hearing aids, electronic devices, communication book
  • Equipment you may be using at home to help you communicate or eat and drink, for example modified cups/bottles
  • Any special items listed on your appointment letter.

Resources

For further information on the role of Speech Pathologists please see:

https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/

Watch

Danielle Marks explains the Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) procedure: