Speech pathology

We accept referrals from inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, GPs, private specialists and other health professionals.

Referrals for patients living outside of the CALHN catchment are only considered if made by a CALHN clinician or specialist involved in the patient’s care.

Speech pathology services provide person-centred assessment and management of swallowing and communication difficulties. 

Our goal is to achieve functional outcomes for consumers, that enable them to live with optimal independence, safety, and quality of life. 

CALHN speech pathology offers a range of specialist outpatient services. These may be related to:

• complex swallowing problems
• mouth and throat related cancers (including laryngectomy)
• voice and upper airway difficulties

Outpatient services include:

• Swallowing Outpatient Clinic (TQEH) – clinical and radiological assessments of swallowing
• Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (RAH) – for complex and/or post-surgical Head and Neck cancer
• Head and Neck cancer clinical support (RAH)
• Multi-Disciplinary Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery Clinic (RAH)
• Tumour Surveillance Clinic (RAH)
• Diagnostic Voice Clinic (RAH).

CALHN speech pathology services are provided across acute inpatients, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatients, home, and community settings. 

Outpatient clinic letters will provide details of the hospital site and location to attend for your appointment.

Speech pathologists are university trained allied health professionals with expertise in the assessment and treatment of communication, swallowing and upper airway difficulties. They are eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia. 

Consultants

• Jacqui Beaty, Director Audiology & Speech Pathology, CALHN
• Christine Davis, A/Senior Manager Speech Pathology, RAH
• Helen Smith, Senior Manager Speech Pathology, TQEH.

A written referral is required for outpatient speech pathology services. 

Referrals via the SA Health Statewide eReferrals system are preferred. Alternatively, referrals can be emailed or faxed to the relevant service.