What is Speech & Language Therapy (SLT)?

The Speech and Language Therapist assesses, diagnoses and treats any speech, voice, language or communication impairment or any difficulty eating, drinking or swallowing which is presenting secondary to an underlying medical condition. On completion of an in-depth assessment, we will offer suitable intervention. As part of our service, we will also provide education to family members and carers.

The Speech and Language Therapy department in UPMC Beacon Hospital provides an adult inpatient and outpatient service. The Speech and Language Therapists working in UPMC Beacon Hospital are highly qualified with more than 17 years combined experience working with adults with a wide range of speech, language, swallowing and voice disorders. We also provide an inpatient and outpatient Videofluroscopy (swallow x-ray) service.

Who do we work with?

Here at UPMC Beacon Hospital we provide a prompt, high quality assessment and treatment service for adults with a wide range of communication and/or swallowing difficulties. Some of the client groups we work with include:

• Stroke
• Dementia (eg. Alzheimer’s Disease)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Motor Neurone Disease
• Head and Neck Cancer
• Head Injury
• Elderly/nursing home residents

Areas of specialty include:

• Dysphagia (swallowing disorders)
• Motor speech disorders (dysarthria)
• Language disorders (aphasia)
• Voice disorders
• Professional voice users

Specific assessments/interventions offered include:

• Videofluroscopy assessment and analysis
• Formal assessments of language (reading/writing/speaking/understanding)
• Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation

Individual Profiles

Julie Regan MSc BSc Clinical Specialist SLT (Neurology), MRCSLT

Julie Regan graduated from the School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) in 2000 and received a Masters degree (Dysphagia) from TCD in 2006. She is a Clinical Specialist SLT in Neurology and has been working with individuals with both acute and progressive neurological disease for over eight years. Her area of specialty is the assessment and treatment of Dysphagia (swallowing disorders) and areas of research include Dysphagia Assessment and treatment in Parkinson’s Disease and reliability of Videofluroscopy. She has received advanced training in Videofluroscopy Analysis, Pharyngeal Manometry, Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of swallowing, surface EMG, Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. She is a full member of the Dysphagia Research Society.

Susan McElwee BSc (Hons), MRCSLT

Susan McElwee qualified with an honours degree in 1999 from Leeds University, UK. She has worked in all areas of Adult Acute Care Stroke, Neurology, Geriatrics, Oncology, Head and Neck Cancer, ENT (voice disorders) and Burns. Susan has worked in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin since 2001. She has also gained invaluable experience in working in major acute care hospitals in New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. During this time, Susan has developed advanced training in Voice, Head and Neck Cancer, Combined Digital Stroboscopy, Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of swallow and Videofluroscopy.

Frequently asked questions

Q. How do I get referred to SLT?

A. To make an appointment, please call us on 01-2936692. Alternatively email us at Julie.Regan@BeaconHospital.ie or Susan.Mcelwee@BeaconHospital.ie

Q. How quickly will I be seen by SLT?

A. You will receive an appointment within two weeks of referral to our service.

Q. How much will SLT cost?

A. SLT costs vary depending on the condition to be treated. For further information on this, please contact us on 01-2936692.

Q. What will happen in my 1st SLT assessment?

A. The SLT will take an in-depth case history of your presenting speech/ language/voice or swallowing problem. You will then have an assessment and a therapy plan will be made.

Q. How many sessions will I need?

A. After an SLT assessment, your SLT will determine how many therapy sessions you will require.

Q. What is a Videofluroscopy (VF)?

A. VF is an x-ray of your swallow. This is carried out in the Radiology department. A Radiologist (doctor) and Speech and Language Therapist will be present for the assessment. You will be given various types of food and drink and your swallow function will then be seen on a moving x-ray. The food and drink will be mixed with a white powder called barium. This is so we can see the food on x-ray. You do not need to fast for this assessment.