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We provide a highly specialist speech and language therapy service in the assessment and management of communication and feeding difficulties across a wide range of client groups for children attending Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, on an in and outpatient basis. Such client groups include children with cleft lip and palate, craniofacial conditions, acquired and developmental neurological problems, children requiring long-term ventilation and voice disorders; this includes children with acute and complex medical conditions, those in high dependency areas, such as the paediatric intensive care unit and children with degenerative and terminal conditions.
Following a referral, an initial assessment is conducted and further investigations such as videofluoroscopy, may be arranged. For in patients, a treatment/ management plan is formulated and carried out. Once a patient is discharged, or for outpatients, advice and recommendations may be provided to local SLTs.
Whilst many of our services are provided on a Regional and/or Supra-Regional basis, children born in Liverpool with a cleft lip and palate or a craniofacial condition, and require speech and language therapy, will attend Alder Hey for this. For other children, any regular therapy or monitoring will be provided by their local SLT department. SLTs at Alder Hey provide support to local SLTs where appropriate.
Children living in the Liverpool area, who have a general speech, language and/or feeding difficulty unrelated to a specific medical condition or due to developmental issues, will be treated by the community speech and language department based in Liverpool.
We work closely with a range of professionals including, doctors, nurses, orthodontists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, play specialists and dieticians. Our sessions are often carried out jointly with a range of professionals and/or within multidisciplinary clinics.
Services: Siobhan is involved in the assessment and management of speech, resonance issues in children with cleft palate and non-cleft VPI (Velar Pharyngeal Insufficiency). Siobhan is also responsible for conducting videofluoroscopies for speech and swallowing. Siobhan is the lead SLT for the cleft palate outreach services in the Isle of Man, Preston and Crew, providing advice and support for community colleagues.
Conditions: Cleft palate and non-cleft VPI and dysphagia (swallowing difficulties).
Services: Wendy is involved in the assessment and management of children with craniofacial conditions, acute dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and communication of outpatients and inpatients. Wendy is also responsible for conducting videofluoroscopies for swallowing.
Conditions: Craniofacial conditions (supra regional service), Traumatic Brain Injury, Acquired Brain Injury including neuro oncology, dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), Moebius, cardiology, gastroenterology, respiratory and general medicine.
Services: Kathryn is involved in the assessment and management of speech and resonance issues in children with cleft palate and non-cleft VPI.
Conditions: Cleft palate and non-cleft VPI.
Services: Alison is involved in the assessment and management of acute dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and communication of outpatients and inpatients, including neuromuscular conditions.
Conditions: Neuromuscular conditions, Long Term Ventilation, acute dysphagia, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, tracheostomy and complex airway, Traumatic Brain Injury, Acquired Brain Injury including neuro oncology, cardiology and neonates.
Services: Suzanne is involved in the assessment and management of speech and resonance issues in children with cleft palate and non-cleft VPI, which includes videofluoroscopies for speech. Suzanne is the lead SLT for outreach services across North Wales, providing advice and support for community colleagues.
Services: Sam is involved in the assessment and management of acute dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and communication of outpatients and inpatients.
Conditions: Acute dysphagia, cardiology, neonates, Congenital Hyperinsulinism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Acquired Brain Injury including neuro oncology.
Services: Laura is involved in the assessment and management of communication of outpatients and inpatients.
Conditions: Craniofacial conditions, Traumatic Brain Injury, Acquired Brain Injury, Long Term Vent, oncology, cardiology.
Services: Claudine is involved in the assessment and management of speech and resonance issues in children with cleft palate and non-cleft VPI and the assessment of speech and language of children with craniofacial conditions.
Conditions: Cleft palate, non-cleft VPI and craniofacial conditions.
Services: Emma works closely with the ENT Team and is involved in the assessment and management of children with voice conditions.
Conditions: Vocal nodules, papillomatosis and vocal cord palsy.
Angela is our Pathway Coordinator for Speech and Language Therapy and also Head of admin. Angela manages all the admin for our team and is the first point of call for parents who have any questions or queries. She is responsible for the pathway care for all our patients from the point of referral to treatment.
Linda assists with admin for the team, taking phone calls, booking clinic appointments and any other general administration duties.
Mark helps the clinics run smoothly by accessing patients’ notes, updating patient databases and processing new referrals.
Adele assists in the running of videofluoroscopies and group therapy clinics (e.g. Early Language Groups) as well as general administrative duties.
Contact us
Please call us on 0151 252 5404 to speak to the hospital-based service. To contact one of our community teams please use the numbers in the tabs below instead.
Health professionals should make a referral in writing to:
Siobhan McMahon Head of Department, Speech and Language Therapy Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Eaton Road Liverpool L12 2AP
Referrals can also be made internally through the Meditech 6 system.
For inpatients, referrals must be made by a member of the medical team via the internal hospital computer system.
For outpatients, referrals are made in writing to Siobhan McMahon and/or Angela Montgomery at:
Speech and Language Therapy Alder Hey Children’s hospital Prescot Rd, Liverpool L14 5AB Telephone: 0151 252 5404
Alder Hey Children's Charity
