RCSLT - Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists: Recent Episodes

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

This is the official podcast of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists - RSCLT. We were established on 6 January 1945 to promote the art and science of speech and language therapy – the care for individuals with communication, swallowing, eating and drinking difficulties.We are the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK; providing leadership and setting professional standards.We facilitate and promote research into the field of speech and language therapy, promote better education and training of speech and language therapists and provide information for our members and the public about speech and language therapy.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In this episode we chat with Dr Claire Mills about her PhD paper 'Worth a try or a last resort: Healthcare professionals’ experiences and opinions of above cuff vocalisation'.

Above Cuff Vocalisation (ACV) is a technique that allows patients with a cuffed tracheostomy tube to speak. A recent systematic review highlighted the limited evidence available for the acceptability, effectiveness, safety or optimal implementation of ACV.

Dr Mills set out to explore the experience of healthcare professionals (HCPs) using ACV and their perceptions of best practice. The master's student who supported this work is Shilpa Namboodiri.

The paper is:

Worth a try or a last resort: Healthcare professionals’ experiences and opinions of above cuff vocalisation’ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12970

Further information:

Download your copy of the ACV Safety Guidance: https://www.atosmedical.co.uk/blog-and-news/above-cuff-vocalisation-acv-safety-guidelines
Evidence for Above Cuff Vocalization in Patients with a Tracheostomy: A Systematic Review: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lary.29591
Survey of Healthcare Professionals: https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(21)01426-X/fulltext
Health Economic Evaluation: https://journals.lww.com/ccejournal/fulltext/2025/12000/an_early_stage_decision_analytic_health_economic.12.aspx
Mathematical modelling of airflow in the subglottic space during ACV: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00134-025-08005-w
Troubleshooting above cuff vocalisation: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00134-024-07779-9

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In our update this month we are joined by Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs.
We cover:

New PM and what this might mean for health and social care. Plus Andy Burnham's previous pledge to the Mikey's Wish 'Invest in SLT' campaign: https://www.rcslt.org/news/invest-in-slt-campaign-letter-delivered-to-downing-street/
An update on the 'Experts at Hand' programme for SEND in schools in England. https://www.rcslt.org/news/new-guidance-on-developing-the-experts-at-hand-offer/
Modern Service Frameworks: https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RCSLT-response-to-the-Cardiovascular-Disease-Modern-Services-Framework-July-2026.pdf
Update on Welsh government funding for ALN.
NHS AHP strategy - get involved! https://www.rcslt.org/events/join-the-slt-conversation-influencing-the-future-ahp-strategy/
APPG on neighbourhood health: https://www.csp.org.uk/news/2026-07-02-all-party-parliamentary-group-ahps-launches-inquiry-neighbourhood-health
and much more!

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In our update this month we are joined by Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs.
We cover:

Resignation of Sir Keir Starmer and what it might mean for health and social care.
Good news in the King's birthday honours: https://www.rcslt.org/news/speech-and-language-therapy-recognised-in-kings-birthday-honours/
Updates from Northern Ireland including election prep, SEN reform and new guidance, DLD exam work and Voicebox competition: https://www.rcslt.org/news/young-voices-bring-big-laughs-at-voicebox-final-northern-ireland/
£145million extra funding in Wales, but large challenges.
Update on Experts at Hand in England.
Health Bill.
and much more!

About our sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Zanda. Zanda combines all your admin, billing, scheduling, and communication needs into one easy-to-use platform built specifically for health practitioners. It supports SLTs to simplify practice management, from online bookings and automated reminders to secure notes, AI, invoicing, and payments, all in one connected system. Zanda helps you stay organised, improve cash flow, and create a smooth client experience from first appointment to final payment.

https://zandahealth.com/uk/profession/speech-therapy-software/?utm_source=rcslt&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=UK_Podcast&utm_content=paid

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In this podcast we chat with Carmela Miniscalo and Anna-Clara Reinholdson about their research which looks at speech sound ability in relation to language ability and non-verbal ability in Swedish pre-school children with ASD.

The paper is:

Miniscalco, C., Reinholdson, A.-C., Gillberg, C. & Johnels, J.A. (2024) Speech sound error patterns may signal language disorder in Swedish preschool children with autism. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 59, 2516–2527. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.13099

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In our update this month we are joined by Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Dr Caroline Walters, External Affairs Manager for Wales and Glenn Carter, Head of Scotland Office..
We cover:

Election results in Wales and how we will work with the new government there.
Wales State of the Nation report 2026: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-wales-launch-2026-state-of-the-nation-report/
Election results in Scotland and how we influenced the manifestos. (See Scotland manifesto asks: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-scotland-publishes-key-manifesto-asks-ahead-of-2026-elections/)
Expected or hoped for impact on speech and language therapy.
The political backdrop in England and Wes Streeting's resignation.
Bills in the King's speech.
AHP debate in Parliament.

About our sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Zanda. Zanda combines all your admin, billing, scheduling, and communication needs into one easy-to-use platform built specifically for health practitioners. It supports SLTs to simplify practice management, from online bookings and automated reminders to secure notes, AI, invoicing, and payments, all in one connected system. Zanda helps you stay organised, improve cash flow, and create a smooth client experience from first appointment to final payment.

https://zandahealth.com/uk/profession/speech-therapy-software/?utm_source=rcslt&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=UK_Podcast&utm_content=paid

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In our update this month we are joined by Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs and Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes.
We cover:

Research Champions Professional Network https://www.rcslt.org/members/research/research-networks/#section-2
Relaunch of registration for Clinical Academic Mentors scheme https://www.rcslt.org/members/research/research-networks/#section-3
Link between research and outcomes and decision making
Update on Invest in SLT campaign: https://www.rcslt.org/news/invest-in-slt-campaign-letter-delivered-to-downing-street/
NHSE Workforce plan – advance tests
SEND consultation https://www.rcslt.org/news/send-reforms-share-your-views/, EAH detail on ICB roles, and Parliamentary debate (plus PPA and AHPs)
Welsh manifestos
Help us build our next strategy: https://www.rcslt.org/news/help-us-build-our-next-strategy/
RCSLT Research strat plan listening events:
Listening event 13 May: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7450576966879117313/?viewAsMember=true

Listening event 18 May: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7450581649479880705/?viewAsMember=true * Podcast for World Voice Day: https://www.rcslt.org/news/new-podcast-highlights-the-importance-of-voice/

About our sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Zanda. Zanda combines all your admin, billing, scheduling, and communication needs into one easy-to-use platform built specifically for health practitioners. It supports SLTs to simplify practice management, from online bookings and automated reminders to secure notes, AI, invoicing, and payments, all in one connected system. Zanda helps you stay organised, improve cash flow, and create a smooth client experience from first appointment to final payment.

https://zandahealth.com/uk/profession/speech-therapy-software/?utm_source=rcslt&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=UK_Podcast&utm_content=paid

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

World Voice Day podcast notes

For World Voice Day 2026 RCSLT President Nick Hewer met with two people with voice difficulties, Margaret Stoddart and Jono Organ. They chat about their voice conditions, the difficulties they have faced, how speech and language therapy has supported them and what life is like now.

About the speakers:

Margaret

Elvis Presley fan, registered nurse and grandmother of six, Margaret Stoddart works as cath lab coordinator in the Cardiology department of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. For the past six years she’s experienced a voice disorder called Muscle Tension Dysphonia and Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Margaret is area contact leader for Dysphonia International, an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions through research, education, awareness, and support. She also hosts her own podcast ‘My Voice, My Way.'

Jono

Jono Organ is married with four children and 11 grandchildren, a self-employed health and safety consultant and trainer, working in the construction industry. He used to enjoy cycling and running before being diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Since his laryngectomy operation in 2023, he’s shifted his focus to awareness raising.

Jono is a governor for the Royal Marsden hospital and sits on panels there, as well as at Great Ormond street Hospital. He is an ambassador to The Throat cancer foundation and also Oracle head and neck UK. In January this year he also set up a laryngectomy support group charity, ‘Life After Lary’.

Nick Hewer:

Nick Hewer, former presenter of iconic television programme Countdown, holds the role of RCSLT President. He is passionate about raising awareness of communication and swallowing difficulties, and helps to promote the message of the RCSLT to the general public. His ongoing work with the RCSLT has earned him an honorary degree from Plymouth Marjon University.

Nick is also a published author, and he has previously worked as a public relations consultant and as Lord Sugar’s right-hand-man on The Apprentice. He is also patron for several charities, including Fairtrade, Hope and Homes for Children, Pancreatic Cancer Action and Street Child Sierra Leone.

Useful links:

Find out more about World Voice Day 2026, which takes place on April 16: https://worldvoiceday.org/
‘My Voice, My Way’ podcast hosted by Margaret: https://myvoicemyway.buzzsprout.com/
‘Life After Lary’: https://www.lifeafterlary.co.uk/news/2942375_new-uk-charity-dedicated-to-supporting-people-after-laryngectomy
What is the RCSLT? https://www.rcslt.org/about-us/

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In this podcast we chat with Hannah Waine and Sally Bates about their research which looks at how UK speech and language therapists assess children’s expressive language, in particular looking at whether their practices reflect recommendations from the CATALISE consensus statements (published 2016/17). (CATALISE redefined Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and emphasised the importance of assessing functional impairment and real‑life impact, not just test scores.)

The paper is:

UK speech and language therapists’ assessment of children's expressive language, and functional impairment and impact, following the CATALISE publications https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12883

Hannah Waine, Sally Bates, Pauline Frizelle, Tomasina M. Oh

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In our update this month we are joined by Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs and Pippa Cotterill, Head of Wales office at the RCSLT and they cover:

Second State of the Nation report from Wales - giving an update on what's changed since last year's report.
Welsh elections.
Westminster event on Primary Progressive Aphasia: https://www.rcslt.org/news/invite-your-mp-to-attend-primary-progressive-aphasia-parliamentary-event/
Update on SEND reforms in England.
Update on Assisted Dying in Scotland.
SEN classes in Northern Ireland.
and more!

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In our update this month Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT covers:

Schools white paper in England and SEND provision- what we know so far.
Scottish election manifesto asks: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-scotland-publishes-key-manifesto-asks-ahead-of-2026-elections/
UK wide report on DLD in exams: New report calls for exam reform to support students with Developmental Language Disorder | RCSLT
Voicebox competition launches in Northern Ireland: VoiceBox competition launches across Northern Ireland | RCSLT
Swallowing Awareness Day 18 March https://www.rcslt.org/news/get-involved-in-swallowing-awareness-day-2026/
Westminster event on Primary Progressive Aphasia: https://www.rcslt.org/news/invite-your-mp-to-attend-primary-progressive-aphasia-parliamentary-event/
Response to cancer strategy.
Letter from AHPs to Wes Streeting: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-joins-professional-bodies-calling-for-government-action-on-ahps/
RCSLT workforce survey – call for responses to help us build the evidence base on vacancies and retention: https://www.rcslt.org/news/complete-the-2026-workforce-survey/.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In our update this month Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT covers:

Looking ahead – events on the horizon for 2026 including Scottish and Welsh elections, the NHSE workforce plan and other focus areas and SEND reform in England.
RCSLT workforce survey – call for responses to help us build the evidence base on vacancies and retention: https://www.rcslt.org/news/complete-the-2026-workforce-survey/.
First 1,000 days report including evidence from speech and language therapy https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/81/health-and-social-care-committee/news/211450/boost-infants-life-chances-with-more-family-hubs-health-visitors-and-new-vaccines-strategy-mps-tell-govt/.
Response to Freedom from Violence and abuse strategy: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-warns-new-freedom-from-violence-and-abuse-strategy-fails-to-address-communication-barriers/
Call to fill vacancy of the Welsh Chief Allied Health Professions Officer in the Senedd.
Update on assisted dying from Jersey, Scotland and the UK.
The Mental Health Act receives royal assent in England: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mental-health-bill-receives-royal-assent-revolutionising-care.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In our update this month Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT covers:

Big news from 2025, including RCSLT successes such as the Invest in SLT debate, Voicebox competition in Scotland, Language Launchpad and launch of AHPF Cymru in Wales; the budget in England.
Lots happening in Scotland around children and young people. RCSLT particularly welcomes the 'Early years speech, language and communication action plan': https://www.gov.scot/publications/speech-language-communication-action-plan/
Best Start Family Hubs in England to be a one-stop shop for parents of children with SEND.
Publication of the 'Getting it right first time' head and neck cancer report: https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/medical_specialties/head-and-neck-cancer/
The House of Lords committee on the Autism Act has highlighted speech, language, and communication, the role of speech and language therapy, and the barriers too many autistic people, of all ages, and their families face accessing it, across education, employment, health, justice, and social care
The Office of the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) at NHS England has commissioned NHS Elect to co-produce a Transformation Toolkit for NHS community speech and language therapy services for children and young people https://www.rcslt.org/news/toolkit-to-support-nhs-services-to-reduce-waiting-times-for-children-and-young-people/

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In this podcast we chat with Loretta Gasparini about the research she led on finding a robust predictor tool for persistent language disorders. The aim of this research is to identify young children who are likely to have persisting language difficulties, so that we can recruit them into research, build a strong evidence base and ultimately support them to thrive.

The paper is:

Identifying early language predictors: A replication of Gasparini et al. (2023) confirming applicability in a general population. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.13086

Loretta Gasparini, Daisy A. Shepherd, Jing Wang, Melissa Wake, Angela T. Morgan

This paper was awarded the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders 2024 Editors' Prize.

GITHUB LINK:

https://github.com/lottiegasp/languagepredictions

DEMONSTRATOR LINK:

https://storage.googleapis.com/rcslt/Index.html

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

In our update this month Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT covers:

Update on the NHS in England.
Curriculum review - our definition of oracy adopted and evidence based approach on adaptation for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-response-to-the-curriculum-review-final-report/
Engagement with the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Chris Whitty, on the report on the Health of people in prison, and in the secure NHS estate in England.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-health-of-people-in-prison-on-probation-and-in-the-secure-nhs-estate-in-england
RCSLT response to NICE guideline on rehabitation for chronic neurological disorders including acquired brain injury.
https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-responds-to-new-nice-guideline/
Adult waiting times.
Scottish advanced practice guidance for AHPs https://www.gov.scot/publications/transforming-roles-paper-6-allied-health-professions-advanced-practice/pages/1/.
Invest in SLT update.
Care home statement: https://www.rcslt.org/news/new-statement-on-the-role-of-slts-in-care-homes/
Assisted dying in Jersey.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board celebrates RCSLT 80th year.
RCSLT conference 26-27 November - tickets still available.
https://www.rcslt.org/events/rcslt-conference-2025/

Find other podcasts here https://www.rcslt.org/podcasts/ or on your favourite podcast app.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

Join us as we uncover the fascinating role of speech and language therapists working in awake craniotomy. We go to Birmingham to meet SLT Georgie Harrington and Mr Ismail Ughratdar, Consultant neurosurgeon to find out how they work as part of a team. Donald Innes, an expert by experience, who has had two awake craniotomies, shares his story and thoughts about the process. Kathleen Graham, SLT and now senior project manager for the RCSLT and lead on new awake craniotomies position paper (Oct 2025), gives us some of the history about the procedure.

With thanks to speakers:

Donald Innes, expert by experience
Kathleen Graham, Senior Project Manager, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Georgie Harrington, Clinical lead, Speech and Language Therapy Outpatients, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Mr Ismail Ughratdar, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Speech and Language Therapy Outpatients, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Useful links:

RCSLT awake craniotomy position paper (October 2025)
Awake craniotomy | RCSLT (resources for the public)
Awake craniotomy resources | RCSLT (resources for members of the RCSLT)
What to expect during an awake craniotomy for brain tumour removal

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In this episode we chat with Professor Bronwyn Hemsley and Dr Lucy Bryant, both of the University of Technology Sydney, about their recent systematic review of interventions based on Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition. The discussion covers:

What was the clinical question you were trying to answer?
How did you go about undertaking the review?
What were the key findings?
What does this mean for the speech and language therapy profession?

With thanks to panellists:

Professor Bronwyn Hemsley, Head of Speech Pathology at The University of Technology Sydney and co-lead of the UTS Disability Research Network
Dr Lucy Bryant, Senior Lecturer in Speech Pathology, The University of Technology, Sydney

Resources:

Bryant, L., Bowen, C., Grove, R. et al. Systematic Review of Interventions Based on Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Clinical Implications of Absence of Evidence and Cautions for Clinicians and Parents. Curr Dev Disord Rep 12, 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z

To read about the prevalence of echolalia mentioned in this podcast see the open access review:

Sutherland, R., Bryant, L., Dray, J. & Robert's, J. (2024). Prevalence of Echolalia in Autism: A Rapid Review of Current Findings and a Journey Back to Historical Data. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 11, 171–183 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-024-00311-0
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40474-024-00311-0

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In our update this month:

Special guest Steve Jamieson CEO talks about:

RCSLT’s 80th anniversary year https://www.rcslt.org/about-us/rcslt-at-80/
Annual conference coming up https://www.rcslt.org/events/rcslt-conference-2025/
Starting work on shaping the next strategic plan
Inspire leadership programme update https://www.rcslt.org/learning/rcslt-leadership-programme/

Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs updates us on:

NHSE workforce plan consultation: respond here https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/10-year-workforce-plan
SEND reforms – awaiting news
Oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health Committee – Autism Spectrum Disorder pathways

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In this podcast we speak with Anna Ekström and Olof Sandgren about their study of experiences of young people with DLD, which focused on language and communication in a school context. The study is guided by the following research question: How do young people diagnosed with DLD describe their experiences of language and communication in school?

The paper is:

'It depends on who I'm with': How young people with developmental language disorder describe their experiences of language and communication in school https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36703539/

Anna Ekström , Olof Sandgren , Birgitta Sahlén , Christina Samuelsson

First published: 26 January 2023

This paper was nominated in the top five for the 2023 IJLCD Editors' Prize.

Resources:

What is Developmental Language Disorder: a discussion for DLD awareness day 2023 https://open.spotify.com/episode/70V0Qqnjf1Y1jH98unrN3Y (Podcast Oct 2023)

IJLCD - The impact of DLD on jury perceptions: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zQNjYxju2EwuEKxiswSN6 (Podcast May 2023)

IJLCD - collaborative working with parents to support children with Developmental Language Disorder https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Kvyx0tiNZ6CgIQmv2DCan (Podcast Sept 2024)

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In our update this month:

Update on special educational needs in England and Northern Ireland.
Partnership report on children's services in Scotland.
CAUK training for parliamentarians as part of National Inclusion Week.
RCSLT conference.

Useful links:

Sign up to our free Communication Access training: Home - Communication Access UK
Book your place at the RCSLT Conference 2025: https://www.rcslt.org/news/book-your-place-at-rcslt-conference-2025/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In our update this month:For Wales:

Preparing for the Senedd elections in 2026: https://www.rcslt.org/wales/#section-2
Work has begun on a Welsh language version of CAUK training, funded by the National Lottery. (See original CAUK training: https://communication-access.co.uk/)
What’s happened following the launch of the State of the Nation report (See here: https://www.rcslt.org/wales/#section-2 ) in January.

Opportunities to get involved:

Frailty task and finish group.
Capturing evidence on the impact of Additional Learning Needs legislation for a Senedd committee inquiry.
New survey for independent members.

Around the UK:

Behind the scenes on SEND reform and workforce matters.
News about waiting list levels (people coming off) and graduate guarantee for nurses and midwives – AHP concern.
Co-signed a letter to PM on oracy, Oracy 21.
BSL plan for English education; Guernsey communication boards
Book your place at the RCSLT Conference 2025: https://www.rcslt.org/news/book-your-place-at-rcslt-conference-2025/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In our update this month:

Exploring the workforce implications of waiting lists in children and young people’s speech and language therapy services.
Response to the 10-year health plan for England.
Continued focus on SEND in England and proposals in Northern Ireland.
Report from RCSLT Scotland with an experimental analysis of additional numbers of SLTs needed in education.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

A report, ‘SLTs on the tight rope: Learning from the experiences of disabled SLTs in the workplace’ (April 2025) by Mélanie Gréaux explores the experiences of disabled Speech and Language Therapists and what we can do to promote disability inclusion in the speech and language therapy profession. (You can hear more about this in the first podcast of this set of two.)

In this second podcast some of our members with disability discuss importance of the report and issues it raises including the:

Challenges disabled SLTs and SLT students face in the workplace;
Impact of ableism;
How colleagues can engage;
Value their disabilities bring to the profession.

With thanks to panellists:

Jodee Simpson - Highly Specialist autistic Speech and Language Therapist and Masters Research student and co-founder of the Neurodivergent SLT network
Claire Westwood - Designated Clinical Officer for SEND - Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Suzi Willis – Senior Lecturer in Speech & Language Therapy & MSc (pre-reg) SLT Programme Lead, Manchester Metropolitan University
(All the panellists are members of the RCSLT's Disability Working Group and Jodee also represents the RCSLT's Neurodiversity Working Group)

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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This podcast is the first of two podcasts looking at the experiences of disabled speech and languages.

We open in this episode with an interview with Mélanie Gréaux, author of a report published early April, ‘SLTs on the tight rope: Learning from the experiences of disabled SLTs in the workplace’. The report explores the experiences of disabled SLTs and what we can do to promote disability inclusion in the profession.

We cover:

What was the research question you wanted to ask?
Why is this of interest to you?
What do we mean by disability and who are we talking about?
What did you find?

Interviewees:

Mélanie Gréaux, Consultant on disability, World Health Organisation

Resources:

https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SLTs-on-the-tightrope-Learning-from-disabled-SLTs.pdf

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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The June news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs. Published 16 June 2025.

In our update this month:

What the Chancellor's Spending Review means for speech and language therapy;
Developments across the UK covering children; the Health Select Committee First 1,000 days of Life inquiry; involvement in the UK Parliament modernisation committee; Integrated Care Board blueprint; and the Northern Ireland curriculum.
Voice Box competition in Scotland: winner of the best joke is announced. This year’s winning joke came from Ezra: “I bought 10 bees, but I was given 11 bees. So, I said to the beekeeper, ‘Why is there an extra bee?’ The beekeeper said, ‘That one’s a freebie.’”
RockingAphasia https://www.facebook.com/RockingAphasia/?locale=en_GB
Inspire Leadership programme for RCSLT members: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-leadership-programme-applications-open/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

The May news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, and Steve Jamieson, CEO for the RCSLT. Published 27 May 2025.

In this month’s news podcast RCSLT CEO joins us to talk about the 80th birthday celebrations; the Equality, Diversity and Belonging (EDB) work with members; the leadership programme; applications for new governance roles and more.

Derek Munn shares some exciting wins for the profession around the UK and outlines some areas of focus for the policy team over the coming months.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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The early May podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs and Ruth Sedgewick, Head of the RCSLT's Northern Ireland office.

Featuring:

Language Launchpad, launching Tuesday 6 May https://www.rcslt.org/northern-ireland/language-launchpad-project/
RCSLT Northern Ireland awards - Policy and campaigns in Northern Ireland | RCSLT
General updates in Northern Ireland
What's happening around the UK

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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People with aphasia can have problems understanding or using numbers in everyday life - known as functional numeracy difficulties. However, testing this is hard because there are limited published assessments for functional numeracy difficulties for people with aphasia.

This study aimed to explore, validate and pilot a wide-ranging, aphasia-friendly functional numeracy assessment to investigate how functional numeracy is impacted by aphasia severity and time pressure demands, and to explore predictors of PWA's functional numeracy.

The paper is:

Which blueberries are better value? The development and validation of the functional numeracy assessment for adults with aphasia' https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12867

Kerri Ichikowitz, Carolyn Bruce, Vanessa Meitanis, Kelly Cheung, Yekyung Kim, Esther Talbourdet, Caroline Newton

First published: 13 March 2023

This paper was awarded the IJLCD student prize.

Resources:
If you would like access to the online version of the Functional Numeracy Assessment, please contact the study authors.

The intervention study: Newton, C., Meitanis, V., Bruce, C., & Donlan, C. (2025). Evaluation of the SWAN game-based approach to re-building numeracy skills in aphasia: Feasibility and preliminary findings. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/f7d39_v1

The survey of SLTs: Newton, C., Brancamp, D., & Brancamp, T. (2025). The rehabilitation of numerical processing and calculation in aphasia: An international survey of speech-language pathologists. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/g63j9_v1

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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The March news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn.

Potential impact of the scrapping of NHS England.
Primary Progressive Aphasia event in Parliament and awareness today 4 April. https://www.rcslt.org/news/parliamentary-event-to-shine-a-light-on-primary-progressive-aphasia/
Hopes for the Spring statement.
Curriculum and assessment review published their interim findings. See more: https://www.rcslt.org/news/response-to-curriculum-and-assessment-reviews-interim-findings/
Education select on SEND and white paper.
Scottish rights report.
Voicebox competition in Scotland – send in your joke by 1 April https://www.rcslt.org/scotland/voicebox/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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How can we best implement communication partner training with familiar partners of people with aphasia?

In this International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders paper the authors set out to:
(1) determine the perceived and/or observed barriers and facilitators to implementing CPT with familiar partners of adults with aphasia;
(2) to map extracted barriers and facilitators to a common theoretical framework; (3) to synthesise extracted barriers and facilitators;
and (4) to identify potential implementation strategies to address the most frequently identified barriers and facilitators.

Authors Kirstine Shrubsole, Emma Power, Marie-Christine Hallé were awarded the IJLCD 2023 Editors' prize for this paper.

The paper is:
Communication partner training with familiar partners of people with aphasia: A systematic review and synthesis of barriers and facilitators to implementation

Kirstine Shrubsole, Emma Power, Marie-Christine Hallé

Examples of free, brief online training programs (less than 2 hours)

Aphasia Institute Community Hub: Introduction to SCA™ eLearning Module, The Aphasia Institute, Canada

https://www.aphasia.ca/health-care-providers/education-training/self-directed-elearning/
An aphasia-focused, 40 minute module centred on Supported Communication principles.

interact-ABI-lity, University of Sydney and University of Technology, Australia

https://abi-communication-lab.sydney.edu.au/courses/interact-abi-lity/
An acquired brain injury focused module (Stroke, Traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions) covering cognitive communication difficulties, aphasia, dysarthria and alternative and augmentative communication.

For the article referring to online versus face-to-face here is the IJLCD article reference.

Power, E., Falkenberg, K., Barnes, S., Elbourn, E., Attard, M., & Togher, L. (2020). A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing online versus face-to-face delivery of an aphasia communication partner training program for student healthcare professionals. International journal of language & communication disorders, 55(6), 852–866. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12556

First published:
23 November 2022

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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The February news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn. Published 27 February 2025.

We look at recent concerning news about growing waiting lists in adult community speech and language therapy in England, and also see how waiting lists compare across the UK.

See statement: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGBH1T1IdnW/

Derek gives an update on key topics keeping his team busy right now and we have a look at closer look at things happening in Scotland.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

Welcome to the fourth episode in our RCSLT AI series. In this episode we chat with Dr Richard Cave,Project Manager SLT at MND Association and Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, about his work in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Richard has backgrounds in both computing and speech and language therapy and he brings these together in his work with voice banking and AI, working with Goggle, MNDA and most recently in his PhD research at UCL.

We cover:

Richard's journey with AI and speech and language therapy.
What are the opportunities with AI?
What are the things to be cautious about? How can we ensure people are not left out.
Why speech and language therapists need to be in this space.

Interviewees:

Dr Richard Cave,Project Manager SLT at MND Association and Consultant Speech and Language Therapist.

Resources:Centre for Digital Language Inclusion: https://www.cdl-inclusion.com/

RCSLT Artificial Intelligence resources: https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/artificial-intelligence-resources/

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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The January news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Cara McDonagh, Director of Communications and Engagement and Pippa Cotterill, Head of Wales for the RCSLT. Published 24 January 2025.

It's the RCSLT's 80th anniversary! In this podcast our guests tell you all about a launch of the birthday year which was held in the Welsh Senedd and also how you can get involved in the celebrations.
www.rcslt.org/news/celebrating-t…he-rcslt-turns-80
https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-wales-launch-report-at-senedd-event/

In other news:

The VoiceBox 2025 competition launched on 'Blue Monday'. It's now open for primary aged children across Scotland to share their best joke: www.rcslt.org/news/voicebox-2025…nd-on-blue-monday/

We are thrilled to say that the Invest in SLT petition tabled by Mikey Akers will be debated in Parliament on Monday 27 January: www.rcslt.org/news/invest-in-slt…ted-in-parliament/

The Welsh Conservatives led a debate on speech and language therapy in the Senedd: https://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Clip/1f043949-cb18-427c-b794-151b1044adc3?inPoint=03:45:32&outPoint=04:37:08

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In this, the third of our conversations around AI in speech and language therapy, we look at AI as a tool for people who have aphasia - a language disorder that affects a person's ability to speak and understand. Caitlin Longman, Accessibility Lead at the Stroke Association tells us about her work with people with aphasia and we hear from some of them about how they are using AI and also what are their concerns. Dr Abi Roper, an academic speech and language therapist and self-confessed 'techy' tells us about her research into AI to support aphasia.

Interviewees:

Caitlin Longman, Accessibility Lead at the Stroke Association, guest lecturer at Strathclyde University.
Abi Roper, Speech and Language Therapy research fellow at City University and Joint chair of the Computers in Therapy CEN.

Resources:

For RCSLT Members only:

Artificial Intelligence resources: www.rcslt.org/members/delivering…ligence-resources/

Integrating Generative AI in speech and language therapy: a practical guide www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/lessons/ai-in-slt/

Open access:
Computers in Therapy CEN (‘CITCEN’) citcen.org/

Co-Pilot copilot.microsoft.com/

ChatGPT chatgpt.com/

Image gen Free AI Image Generator - Image Creator in Bing

Factsheets from AbilityNet about AI abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets/what-…-how-do-i-use-it

Free webinar from AbilityNet about how AI can help disabled people abilitynet.org.uk/webinars/how-can…-disabled-people

Webinar series from the Health Foundation about AI and the NHS (exploring priorities and anticipating the future) www.health.org.uk/about-the-health…re-of-healthcare

A guide from the NHS Confederation on AI: "AI in healthcare: navigating the noise". www.nhsconfed.org/publications/ai-healthcare

Blog from NHS England ‘How artificial intelligence is helping to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients’. www.england.nhs.uk/blog/how-artifi…troke-patients/

Research:

AI technologies in therapy - experiences and perceptions of SLPs
Suh, H., Dangol, A., Meadan, H., Miller, C. A., & Kientz, J. A. (2024, June). Opportunities and challenges for AI-based support for speech-language pathologists. In Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Symposium on Human-Computer Interac

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

The December news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs. Dated 16 December 2024.

Derek reflects back on 2024, looking at some of the big changes.
Campaigns and how to get involved. Including Mikey Ackers' petition to Parliament which will be debated in the House of Commons on 27 January.
What's happening around the nations of the UK.

Useful links:
Inclusive Communication in Parliament coalition:
https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-joins-inclusive-parliament-coalition/

Campaign on Primary Progressive Aphasia:
https://www.rcslt.org/news/campaign-to-improve-care-for-people-living-with-primary-progressive-aphasia-ppa-launched/

Mikey's Wish petition
https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-thanks-signatories-of-mikey-akers-invest-in-slt-petition/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT. It was produced and edited by freelance producer, Jacques Strauss.

Release date:

16 December 2024

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

What is the role of AI in AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication)?
In this episode Professor Annalu Waller, Professor of Human Communication Technologies at the University of Dundee and Alan McGregor, ex UK team paralympic swimmer and honorary researcher at the University of Dundee take us through what it can do now and developments they'd like to see.

We cover:

What is AI's role in AAC?
How can we use generative AAC to expand on communication?
What are some of the ethical considerations?
What Annalu and Alan would like to see in the future.

Interviewees:

Professor Annalu Waller, Professor of Human Communication Technologies at the University of Dundee and lead for the Augmentative and Alternate Communication Research Group at the university.

Alan McGregor, ex UK team paralympic swimmer, part of the Straight Talking Group – and honorary researcher at the University of Dundee.

During the conversation Alan is supported by his assistant, Cindy Macfarlane.

Resources:Here are some links which relate to AI and AAC:

https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/use-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-augmentative-and-alternative
https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/telling-tales-unlocking-the-potential-of-aac-technologies
https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/blending-human-and-artificial-intelligence-to-support-autistic-ch
https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/personal-storytelling-using-natural-language-generation-for-child
https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/evaluating-the-standup-pun-generating-software-with-children-with

Groups:

Dundee Accessibility and Assistive Technology Research Group: https://aac.dundee.ac.uk/
Straight Talking Group: https://aac.dundee.ac.uk/stg/

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In this, the first of our conversations around AI in speech and language therapy, we chat with Rachel Barton, speech and language therapist about her journey from AI sceptic to AI advocate.

Rachel shares what she has learned and offers ideas on how others might approach AI in their work. Rachel also advises on areas of caution and talks about her pledge for responsible generative AI use in speech and language therapy.

Interviewee:

Rachel Barton, independent speech and language therapist and Professional Supervisor, Chatterbox Sussex Speech and Language Therapy Ltd

Resources:

Henrik Kniberg “Generative AI in a Nutshell - how to survive and thrive in the age of AI”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IK3DFHRFfw
Ethan Mollick “Co-Intelligence – Living and Working with AI” (2024) Penguin https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460207/co-intelligence-by-mollick-ethan/9780753560778
Jordan Wilson’s daily livestream, podcast and newsletter https://www.youreverydayai.com/about-everyday-ai-podcast/
https://www.chatterboxsussex.com/blog - this has a more in-depth blog on the SERVE prompt framework as well as other blogs on WordMango, Bias, how AI might help with waiting times and the responsible AI pledge.
https://www.chatterboxsussex.com/aiworkshops - more information about Rachel's AI journey and work, with a link to suggested further learning materials including podcasts, videos, websites and research articles

For RCSLT Members only:

Artificial Intelligence resources: https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/artificial-intelligence-resources/
Integrating Generative AI in speech and language therapy: a practical guide https://www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/lessons/ai-in-slt/

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

The November news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, guest starring new chair Irma Donaldson.
Irma talks about what motivates her and her journey to being the chair.

She describes her vision for the profession and also some of the big challenges it faces.

Derek gives an update on key things which are happening right now including:
- Covid Inquiry in Scotland
- Mental Health Bill in England
- Northern Ireland RCSLT member event attended by two ministers
- Curriculum review

Vicky called for examples of ways to reduce waiting lists for children and young people’s services. If you have examples for ways to reduce waiting lists for children and young people's services, or improve the waiting experience, please get in touch with Izzy Pompova (izzy.pompova@rcslt.org) or submit directly here: forms.office.com/pages/responsepa…u&route=shorturl

Resources:
The “snowy white peaks” of the NHS: a survey of discrimination in governance and leadership and the potential impact on patient care in London and England.
R. Kline, 2014 www.mdx.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_…of-the-NHS.pdf.pdf

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Vicky Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT. It was produced and edited by freelance producer, Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

A group of speech and language therapists (SLTs) tell us why they believe the answer is yes. We hear about a survey of SLTs in the UK on their views of this question and find out about attitudes in Germany, Australia and wider.

Interviewees:
Carol Moxam, Senior Lecturer, Newcastle University & Director of The Children’s Speech & Language Clinic
Claire D’Urban-Jackson, Dually qualified SLT with a postgraduate certificate (Level 7) in Language Literacies & Dyslexia, Knowl Hill School
Prof. Pamela Snow, Prof. of Cognitive Psychology, La Trobe University
Sarah-Maria Thumbeck, SLT in a rehabilitation center, research at Uni Erfurt (PhD project on looking at text level reading comprehension in persons with aphasia)

Resources:
• Stephenson, C., Serry, T.A. & Snow, P.C. (2023). Teachers’ perspectives of the role & scope of practice of speech-language pathologists working to support literacy in the early years of school. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2023.2250934%20, Published online 2023.
• Stephenson, C., Serry, T.A. & Snow, P.C. (2023). Australian speech-language pathologists’ self-rated confidence, knowledge & skill on constructs essential to practising in literacy with children & adolescents. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, Published online April 28, 2023. doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2023.2202839
• McLean E., Snow, P. & Serry, T. (2021). Dual-qualified teachers and speech-language therapists reflect on preparation and practice in school-based language and literacy. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 37(3), 249-263. doi.org/10.1177/0265659021995543
• Snow, P.C. (2016). Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture: Language is literacy is language. Positioning Speech Language Pathology in education policy, practice, paradigms, & polemics. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, 18(3), 216-228. DOI: doi.org/10.3109/17549507.2015.1112837.
• pamelasnow.blogspot.com/2019/01/why-d…ologists.html
Literacy for everyday life:
• Rosebrock, C. (2012). Was ist Lesekompetenz, und wie kann sie gefördert werden? [Online-Plattform für Literalität]. Leseforum.ch. www.leseforum.ch/myUploadData/fil…_3_Rosebrock.pdf
• Rosebrock, C., & Nix, D. (2020). Grundlagen der Lesedidaktik und der systematischen schulischen Leseförderung (9., aktualisierte Neuauflage). Schneider Verlag Hohengehren GmbH.
• Snow, C. E. (2002). Reading for understanding: Toward an R&D program in reading comprehension (Science & Technology Policy Institute (Rand Corporation), Hrsg.). Rand.
Aphasia:
• Parr, S. (1995). Everyday reading & writing in aphasia: Role change & the influence of pre-morbid literacy practice. Aphasiology, 9(3), Article 3. doi.org/10.1080/026

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

In October's news:
- It's five years since we launched podcasts at RCSLT. We take a look back at what's changed and stayed the same since then.
- RCSLT annual awards.
- Campaign to improve care for people living with Primary Progressive Aphasia: https://www.rcslt.org/news/campaign-to-improve-care-for-people-living-with-primary-progressive-aphasia-ppa-launched/
- DLD Vision turns one: https://www.rcslt.org/news/dld-vision-turns-one/
- AHPs Day 2024: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-marks-ahps-day-2024/
- Homelessness statement: https://www.rcslt.org/news/new-homelessness-and-speech-language-and-communication-policy-statement-launched/
- A round up of what's happening around the four nations of the UK including:
- Darzi review: www.rcslt.org/news/lord-darzis-n…ommunity-services/
- Phonics in Wales
- RCSLT Connect event coming up in Northern Ireland.
- National Care Service in Scotland.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT. It was produced and edited by freelance producer, Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

How do speech and language therapists collaborate effectively with parents of children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)? Firstly, speech and language therapists need to understand, 'What are their needs?' In this podcast we talk with lead researcher Inge Klatte, of the Research Center for Healthy and Sustainable Living, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, and one of the parents involved in this study, Astrid van Gessel, who has two children with DLD and also works at a special needs school.

The paper is:
Collaborative working in speech and language therapy for children with DLD—What are parents’ needs?’

Inge S. Klatte, Manon Bloemen, Annemieke de Groot, Tina C. Mantel, Marjolijn Ketelaar, Ellen Gerrits

First published:
16 September 2023

Useful resources:The following papers are open access.
Network Collaboration for Communication: Collaboration for Communication Network | Collaboration for Communication Network | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)

Link to the paper ‘Collaborative working in speech and language therapy for children with DLD—What are parents’ needs?’: Collaborative working in speech and language therapy for children with DLD—What are parents’ needs? - Klatte - 2024 - International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders - Wiley Online Library

Link to the systematic review I mention in the podcast: Collaboration: How does it work according to therapists and parents of young children? A systematic review - Klatte - 2024 - Child: Care, Health and Development - Wiley Online Library

Also see RCSLT's Developmental Language Disorder overview:https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/developmental-language-disorder/ NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

In Septembers news:
- Dysphagia dining event www.rcslt.org/news/people-with-d…dining-experience/
- SLT voices - a new section on the website to showcase views from the world of speech and language therapy www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-launche…lt-voices-section/
- 80th anniversary next year www.rcslt.org/about-us/the-rcslt-at-80/
- Connect England event for members: www.rcslt.org/events/rcslt-connect-england-2024/
- Voices of the future careers event www.rcslt.org/events/voices-of-t…-language-therapy/
- RCSLT student to newly qualified event www.rcslt.org/events/rcslt-stude…learning-day-2024/
- Influencing in Westminster and mentions of speech and language therapy in maiden speeches in Parliament.
- Darzi review www.rcslt.org/news/lord-darzis-n…ommunity-services/
- Evidence given at Covid 19 Inquiry www.rcslt.org/news/evidence-give…-covid-19-inquiry/
- Meeting new Welsh ministers and meetings in Northern Ireland
- Scottish budget and health cuts

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Cara McDonagh, Director of Engagement and Communications.

Release date:

20 September 2024

In August's news:
- Influencing into the new government in Parliament.
- Update on RCSLT's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work and plans. See also reponse to the riots across the UK: www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-respons…ots-across-the-uk/
- Launch of Buddy Chat course in Northern Ireland. This is for children to learn to communicate with others who have communication issues - and is facilitated by teachers.
- Changes in Welsh government.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

In July's news:
- Impact of the results of the General Election and how you can get involved.
- Communication Access free training www.communication-access.co.uk/
- Lee Silvermann Voice Technique media coverage www.rcslt.org/news/new-study-com…e-with-parkinsons/
- King's Speech
- Senedd reports on the implementation of the Additional Learning Needs legislation and curriculum reform and access for disabled children in Wales to education and childcare www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-respond…ng-senedd-reports/
- Scottish Covid Inquiry

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Peter Just, Head of External Affairs and Influencing.

In June's news:
- The UK General Election
- Get involved in e-action: www.rcslt.org/policy-and-influen…on-2024/#section-4
- Communication Access free training communication-access.co.uk/
- Results of the Voicebox joke telling competition www.rcslt.org/news/east-lothian-…cebox-competition/
- New permanent National Speech, Language and Communication Co-ordinator within Welsh Government www.rcslt.org/news/new-permanent…-welsh-government/

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

Often, when we're working with kids with DLD, we assume that we need to be working on simple sentences or very basic vocabulary, but should we be aiming for more? Can we support children with DLD to learn to use grammar and vocabulary in ways that are functional for their life, such as their everyday communication or their school curriculum?

The paper is:
Teaching little kids big sentences: A randomized controlled trial showing that children with DLD respond to complex syntax intervention embedded within the context of preschool/kindergarten science instruction

Amanda J. Owen Van Horne, Maura Curran, Susan Wagner Cook, Renée Cole, Karla K. McGregor

First published:
02 May 2023

Useful resources:

We Have to Talk About Something: Why NOT Talk About the Curriculum? A Guide to Embedding Language Interventions in Curricular Content
Two papers on tricking yourself into using complement clauses:

Preparing Student Clinicians to Provide Recast Therapy on Complement Clauses: A Training Program
Can vocabulary lessons increase the amount of complex syntax produced by head start teachers? A pilot study

Recast Therapy for Treating Syntax in Bilingual Children With Developmental Language Disorder: A Feasibility and Early Efficacy Study Examining the Role of Language of Intervention on Outcomes
Anny Castilla-Earls and Amanda Owen Van Hornes
Two earlier papers on embedding instruction in science learning:

The Challenge of Rich Vocabulary Instruction for Children With Developmental Language DisorderUse of Recast Intervention to Teach Causal Adverbials to Young Children With Developmental Language Disorder Within a Science Curriculum: A Single Case Design Study* A free grammar guide by Amanda Owen Van Horne and Susan Ebbels:
https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/the-grammar-guide-you-never-knew-you-always-wanted * Shape coding: https://shapecoding.com/

In May's news:
- VoiceBox joke telling competition in Scotland www.rcslt.org/scotland/voicebox-2024/
- Cuts to children's speech and language therapy in Aberdeen.
- Working together with decision makers in Scotland to influence on future budgets.
- CEO visit to Northern Ireland and update on situation there; cancer, prisons, budget challenges; SEN provision in the Assembly.
- Wales: new student places; meetings with new ministers; ALN funding and First Minister Question.
- Kessler report www.rcslt.org/news/new-report-on…-and-young-people/, media interest in children's waits; SEND delays; NHS budget shortfall of 5 billion; Neonatal CEN evidence to Lords on pre-term birth.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

What value is there in allied health professional research? To consider this question Sophie Chalmers, Hazel Roddam and fellow researchers conducted a systematic review, which explored the value of research engagement specifically by AHPs, and also considered mechanisms which might connect research engagement with healthcare performance. In this podcast Sophie and Hazel discuss their research and its implications.

We cover:

What is this new research and why it is important?
What does it mean for allied health professionals?
What does it mean for their organisations?
How do AHPs develop their research skills?
The launch of the multi professional research capabilities framework.

Interviewees:

Sophie Chalmers, Speech and Language Therapist & NIHR ARC-GM pre-doctoral fellow
Dr Hazel Roddam, FRCSLT, HEE's Lead for the AHP Research & Innovation Strategy for England 2022

Resources:

1. Link to paper being discussed
The value of allied health professional research engagement on healthcare performance: a systematic reviewS. Chalmers, J. Hill, L. Connell, S. Ackerley, A. Kulkarni & H. Roddam, BMC Health Services Research, volume 23, Article number: 766 (2023) https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-023-09555-9

2. Link to bitesize resources from this paper:
Infographic: https://twitter.com/SChalmersSLT/status/1687172202553102336/photo/1

AHPs2mintalks video:https://x.com/SChalmersSLT/status/1684863198434844673?s=20

3. NIHR research capacity building funding streams
Information resource for all AHPshttps://cahpr.csp.org.uk/news/2024-03-12-new-nihr-research-training-development-career-awards 4. NHS England Multi professional research capabilities framework launched February 2024 https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/research-framework-launched/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo

5. Related paper‘It depends’: what 86 systematic reviews tell us about what strategies to use to support the use of research in clinical practiceAnnette Boaz, Juan Baeza, Alec Fraser & Erik Persson
Implementation Science volume 19, Article number: 15 (2024) https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13012-024-01337-z

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In April's news:

The RCSLT Member survey is open now for members to have their say: www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-member-survey-2024/
There are RCSLT board and committee vacancies open now, including lay positions:
www.rcslt.org/news/trustee-and-c…ee-vacancies-2024/
RCSLT will be at Birmingham Pride in with partnership with the SLT Pride Network. Participating in Birmingham Pride is an opportunity for celebration and joy, as well as an important platform to voice the inequalities that still exist for the LGBTQIA+ community.
www.rcslt.org/news/join-the-rcsl…ide-in-birmingham/
The third in a series of webinars about the Professional development framework is taking place on Thursday 25 April.
Watch out for news on our upcoming RCSLT Connect events which will be around the UK.
Hear about the National Audit Office report on the NHS Workforce plan: www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-welcome…hs-workforce-plan/
RCSLT's response to separate nursing pay scale consultation www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-respons…cale-consultation/
Waiting lists in Northern Ireland and media exposure there
Parliamentary petitions:
Increase investment in speech and language therapy: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/657935
Review how to make Parliamentary debates inclusive of communication difference:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/658364

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Cara McDonagh, Director of Engagement and Communications at the RCSLT.

In March's news:

Response to the Budget
Vacancies in speech and language therapy survey
Nurses' pay scale response
Buckland review of autism employment https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-response-to-the-buckland-review-of-autism-employment/
Scottish Parliament committee evidence
Ramadan guidance https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/RCSLT_Ramadan_Guidance_FINAL.pdf
InvestInSLT petition reaches 10,000 signatures: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/657935
Swallow Awareness Day event in the Senedd

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

How can you support LGBTQIA+ colleagues in the workplace? In this podcast we speak with two of the authors of new guidance that deals with just that question.

We cover:
- An introduction to the guidance, and supporting tools.
- Why it matters.
- Why it is everyone's business, even if you do not identify as LGBTQIA+.
- How to use it as individuals or in teams.
- Understanding intersectionality.

Interviewees:
Kate Boot, Clinical Locality Lead (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Hampshire), Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner

Jessica Davies, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist- Acute Medicine Team Lead, St Helier Hospital ,Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Resources:
Guidance on supporting LGBTQIA+ colleagues in the workplace: a guide for all: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/supporting-lgbtqia-colleagues-in-the-workplace-a-guide-for-all/

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In February's news:

RCSLT joins organisations from around Europe to declare a commitment to support children who face language challenges.
https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-joins-the-historic-launch-of-atlas-think-first-manifesto-at-the-house-of-lords/
What the return to power sharing in Northern Ireland means for speech and language therapy: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-ni-welcomes-assembly-motion/
Local council cuts in Scotland.
Wales to go big on Swallowing Awareness Day and update on youth justice summit. https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-wales-plays-key-role-in-welsh-government-summit-on-youth-justice/
Latest campaigning for the general election. https://www.rcslt.org/news/call-to-party-leaders-letstalkcommunication/
Tell us about your vacancy situation in our latest vacnacies survey: https://www.rcslt.org/policy-and-influencing/uk-wide/vacancy-survey/
and much more.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

What happens to children on a waiting list when they aren't receiving treatment? How many continue to need intervention and how many improve spontaneously? It's difficult to research because it's too hard to collect this data ethically and also without impacting the subjects and therefore potentially changing the results.

Nevertheless, occasional opportunities arise for reviewing data from waiting lists. In this podcast we chat with Elizabeth and Sue about their research into an ethnically diverse community paediatric speech and language therapy service waiting list in the UK, where levels of social disadvantage are high.

The paper is:

Outcomes from a community speech and language therapy service treatment waiting list: The natural history of 525 children with identified speech and language needs
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12877

Elizabeth Hesketh, Paul White, Doug Simkiss & Sue Roulstone

First Published:
15 May 2023

Useful resources:
Outcome measurement overview: https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/guidance-for-delivering-slt-services/outcome-measurement/#section-2

RCSLT Online Outcome Tool ('ROOT'): https://rcslt-root.org

Interview with Professor Pam Enderby: https://soundcloud.com/rcslt/rcslt-podcast-pam_enderby-31-07-2020

Find out more about ROOT: https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/guidance-for-delivering-slt-services/outcome-measurement/#section-2

Enderby, P. and John, A. (2019) Therapy Outcome Measure User Guide. Croydon: J& R Press Ltd

Language growth in children with heterogeneous language disorders: a population study, Courtenay Frazier Norbury , George Vamvakas, Debbie Gooch, Gillian Baird, Tony Charman , Emily Simonoff, Andrew Pickles
Child Psychol Psychiatry; 2017 Oct;58 (10) :109 2-1105., https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpp.12793

PROTOCOL: Language interventions for improving oral language outcomes in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review - Nordahl‐Hansen - 2019 - Campbell Systematic Reviews - Wiley Online Library https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cl2.1062

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

In January's news:

Workforce projects for 2024 - including roll out and embedding of the professional development framework; curriculum review; review of Newly Qualified Practitioner competencies; preceptorship; placement expansion; supporting the support workforce; career opportunities including enhanced practice and advanced clinical practice. Supported by funding from NHSE - but to work across the UK.
Results of the second vacancies survey published today and third survey launched.
Current workstreams on equality, diversity and inclusion.
Other key issues around the UK.
Launch of the Voicebox joke telling competition for children in Scotland.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Judith Broll, Director of Professional Development.

What happens to children on a waiting list when they aren't receiving treatment? How many continue to need intervention and how many improve spontaneously? It's difficult to research because it's too hard to collect this data ethically and also without impacting the subjects and therefore potentially changing the results.

Nevertheless, occasional opportunities arise for reviewing data from waiting lists. In this podcast we chat with Elizabeth and Sue about their research into an ethnically diverse community paediatric speech and language therapy service waiting list in the UK, where levels of social disadvantage are high.

The paper is:

Outcomes from a community speech and language therapy service treatment waiting list: The natural history of 525 children with identified speech and language needs
Elizabeth Hesketh, Paul White, Doug Simkiss & Sue RoulstoneFirst Published:
15 May 2023

Useful resources:
Outcome measurement overview: https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/guidance-for-delivering-slt-services/outcome-measurement/#section-2

Interview with Professor Pam Enderby https://soundcloud.com/rcslt/rcslt-podcast-pam_enderby-31-07-2020

Find out more about ROOT: www.rcslt.org/speech-and-languag…urement/#section-2

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

In December's news:

Roll call of the sucesses of 2023, in spite of the severe challenges
Key issues for the speech and language therapy profession around the UK at the moment
What to expect in 2024

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

The RCSLT has published a position paper on the use of thickened fluids in the management of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulty (dysphagia). In this podcast we speak with the team behind the paper.

We cover:

Why did we create a position paper?
How the paper was developed using a very wide group of stakeholders.
The main themes of the paper.
If you're a therapist what do you need to think about now? Thinking about the person sitting in front of you who needs therapy.

Interviewees:

Maya Asir, Neonatal Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Acute Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Lead
Kathleen Graham, Senior Project Manager, RCSLT
Lizzie King, Allied Health Professional (AHP) Clinical Lead and Professional Lead for Adult Speech and Language Therapy
Tracy Lazenby-Paterson, Speech and Language Therapist, Team Coordinator, Community Learning Disability service, RCSLT Clinical Adviser- ALD Dysphagia

Resources:
Link to the position paper:

https://www.rcslt.org/members/clinical-guidance/dysphagia/thickened-fluids

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In November's news catch up:

RCSLT CEO Steve Jamieson tells us about the many different places he's been to meet RCSLT members - across the four nations of the UK and in a huge range of settings.
He tells us what he's learned from that experience and how that is shaping his thinking.
Overview of the recent Parliamentary event hosted by Saqib Bhatti MP and with broadcaster Chris Kamara.
A summary of key things happening around the UK which listeners will be interested in including:
RCSLT Wales gives evidence to Senedd enquiry on education https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-gives-evidence-to-senedd-enquiry-on-access-to-education/
RCSLT Wales and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board host visit with minister for health and social services, Eluned Morgan, https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-wales-host-visit-with-minister-for-health-and-social-services/
Wins in areas of autism, stroke and early years.

Please do feedback on our podcasts to help us improve them: tinyurl.com/RCSLTPodcastFeedback. Thank you!

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

For Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day 2023 we pulled together a panel of two people living with DLD and a professor who is an expert in this field and one of the founders of the awareness day.

We cover:
- What is DLD?
- Why is it important to get a diagnosis?
- What is tricky about living with DLD?
- Is there anything good about it?
- What can help?
- What needs to change?
- What is the focus of DLD Awareness Day 2023?

Interviewees:Ioan Berry, a young man with Developmental Language DisorderSophie Franks, dedicated RADLD Ambassador and adult with DLD
Professor Courtenay Norbury, Professor of Developmental Disorders of Language and Cognition Psychology and Language Sciences, UCL

Resources:
RADLD - Raising Awareness of DLD Day
RCSLT DLD factsheet
RCSLT DLD clinical information
Me and DLD: Living with a hidden disability
Giving Voice Twitter takeover by Ioan Berry, 2021
DLD DAY 15th October 2021 (Developmental language disorder) Sophie’s DLD in Adulthood
Speaking up for developmental language disorder: the top 10 priorities for research

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In October's news:

RCSLT awards https://www.rcslt.org/news/congratulations-to-all-the-amazing-award-winners/
Party conference season
Intermediate care framework for rehab, reablement and recovery following hospital discharge
NIHCR evidence on aphasia after stroke
Focus on DLD

Please do feedback on our podcasts to help us improve them: tinyurl.com/RCSLTPodcastFeedback. Thank you!

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

Most people diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) will develop speech impairment over the course of the disease. Some will develop cognitive, linguistic or behavioural disturbance. Does this impact their ability to be involved in and make decisions about their healthcare?

In this podcast we chat with Dr Camille Paynter and Dr Susan Mathers about their research into this question.

The paper is: The impact of communication on healthcare involvement for people living with motor neurone disease and the careers: A longitudinal qualitative study. Camille Paynter, Susan Mathers, Heidi Gregory, Adam P. Vogel, Madeline Cruice

First Published:
21 July 2022

Useful resources:
Access the paper here: The impact of communication on healthcare involvement for people living with motor neurone disease and the careers: A longitudinal qualitative study.

How people living with motor neurone disease and their carers experience healthcare decision making: a qualitative exploration. Paynter C, Mathers S, Gregory H, Vogel AP, Cruice M. Disabil Rehabil. 2022 Jun;44(13):3095-3103. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1855261.

Using the Concept of Health Literacy to Understand How People Living with Motor Neurone Disease and Carers Engage in Healthcare: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study. Paynter C, Mathers S, Gregory H, Vogel AP, Cruice M. Healthcare (Basel). 2022 Jul 24;10(8):1371. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10081371.

Communication and cognitive impairments and health care decision making in MND: A narrative review. Paynter C, Cruice M, Mathers S, Gregory H, Vogel AP. J Eval Clin Pract. 2019 Dec;25(6):1182-1192. doi: 10.1111/jep.13219.

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

In September's news:

Autumn is a busy time in politics. Find out how the RCSLT is engaging to ensure speech and language therapy is represented.
Travelling around the UK - how the RCSLT is engaging with members face to face across the four nations.
Our submission of evidence to the Times Health Commission. https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-submits-evidence-to-the-times-health-commission/
ICS project
Autism guidance and McGowan mandatory training
Vacancies survey

Please do feedback on our podcasts to help us improve them: tinyurl.com/RCSLTPodcastFeedback. Thank you!

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

In August's news:

Members - how to help us know more about the profession by completing your member profiles. (Login to your RCSLT 'My account' and click on 'Your profile' to access this.)
Takeaways from RCSLT visit to IALP 32nd world congress: ialpauckland2023.org/
RCSLT outcomes work and ROOT tool www.rcslt.org/speech-and-languag…tcome-measurement/
RCSLT events and webinars www.rcslt.org/events/
RCSLT conference bookings: www.rcslt.org/events/rcslt-conference-2023/
2nd vacancy survey www.rcslt.org/news/second-vacanc…t-survey-now-open/
HCPC standards of proficiency www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standar…s-of-proficiency/

Please do feedback on our podcasts to help us improve them: tinyurl.com/RCSLTPodcastFeedback. Thank you!

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Cara McDonagh, Director of Engagement and Communication.

In this podcast we bring together colleagues to discuss professional development frameworks and ways to use them effectively for career planning.

We cover:

What do we mean when we talk about frameworks?
What are the types out there?
Using them for career planning
Using them for team planning
Taking a flexible approach
There's more alignment across the different types than you might think
Getting framework advice from your professional body

Interviewees:Dr Stephanie Tempest FCIPD, occupational therapist / workforce learning and development consultant, Stephanie Tempest Consultancy Ltd
Dr Nikki Daniels, Head of Communities and Connections, Royal College of Occupational Therapists
Mark Singleton, Learning and Development Manager, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Victoria Harris, Head of Learning, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Resources:
Kawa model:
https://www.kawamodel.com/v1/

RCSLT Professional development framework: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/professional-development-framework/

RCOT Professional development framework: https://www.rcot.co.uk/publications/career-development-framework

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In July's news:

Response to the long-awaited NHS England workforce plan. www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-respons…rm-workforce-plan/
How RCSLT is responding to shortages and waiting lists.
Senedd debate on criminal justice.
Student numbers in the nations.
Scottish children and young people posts for speech and language therapy and conversations with local government. www.rcslt.org/news/troubling-tim…erapy-in-scotland/
Children's language and the pandemic.
Labour's oracy announcement. www.rcslt.org/news/responding-to…rs-to-opportunity/
RCSLT conference bookings: www.rcslt.org/events/rcslt-conference-2023/

Please do feedback on our podcasts to help us improve them: tinyurl.com/RCSLTPodcastFeedback. Thank you!

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

'Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)' is an umbrella term for a group of language-led dementias which leave people unable to communicate effectively with others. PPA can have a devastating impact on people's ability to function and socialise. Speech and language therapy offers a range of potential benefits to people with PPA. However, until now there has been little research asking them and their families about what help they would like from speech and language therapy. In this podcast we chat with Chris Hardy, Anna Volkmer, Jason Warren about their research (*and that of colleagues) about their research to answer that question.

The paper is:

‘Like going into a chocolate shop, blindfolded’: What do people with primary progressive aphasia want from speech and language therapy?
*Maria Loizidou, Emilie Brotherhood, Emma Harding, Sebastian Crutch, Jason D. Warren, Chris J.D. Hardy, Anna Volkmer

First Published:
30 November 2022

Useful resources:

Access the paper here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12818

Further resources:

Rare dementia support
https://www.raredementiasupport.org/primary-progressive-aphasia/

A. Volkmer, J. Cartwright, L. Ruggero, A. Beales, J. Gallée, S. Grasso, M. Henry, R. Jokel, J. Kindell, R. Khayum, M. Pozzebon, E. Rochon, C. Taylor-Rubin, R. Townsend, F. Walker, S. Beeke & D. Hersh (2023) 'Principles and philosophies for speech and language therapists working with people with primary progressive aphasia: an international expert consensus' , Disability and Rehabilitation, 45:6, 1063-1078, DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2051080
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09638288.2022.2051080?needAccess=true&role=button

Marshall, C.R., Hardy, C.J.D., Volkmer, A. et al. Primary progressive aphasia: a clinical approach. J Neurol 265, 1474–1490 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8762-6
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-018-8762-

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

In RCSLT's June 2023 podcast:

Current themes in speech and language therapy including: an ageing society; workforce; SEND review; Community rehabiliation
Professional development issues: NHSE (formerly HEE) projects coming to a close and achievements there; new support worker hub; professional development framework. For members, remember that the HCPC audit is coming in July so please get ready by updating your CPD diary.
Where RCSLT has been recently and who has been to see us.

Useful links:

Get in touch with our Professional Enquiries team if you have any evidence for Judith for the report on an ageing population: www.rcslt.org/help-and-support/contact-us/
NHSE (formerly HEE) projects: www.rcslt.org/members/get-involv…-reform-programme/
Support worker hub: www.rcslt.org/news/new-support-w…hub-and-framework/
RCSLT Professional development framework: www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-profess…d-to-support-slts/
Get in touch with our Professional Enquiries team if you have any questions about the HCPC audit: www.rcslt.org/help-and-support/contact-us/
Podcast survey: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LG5HC3R

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs and Judith Broll, Director of Professional Development, at the RCSLT.

We all know that the NHS is under enormous pressure and so we need to start being more innovative about ways in which we can resource the NHS. Support workers, of course, play an enormously important role, both within the NHS and further afield.

The RCSLT has developed a framework which is specific to speech and language therapist support workers, which defines the competencies and skills required in the role, how are these recognised and how should supervision take place, as well as providing a structure for the career progression of support workers.

In this podcast, we are joined by some of the people who are involved in the development of that framework. And they’re here to talk to us about what it is and why it matters. Whether you’re a support worker, an speech and language therapist, or a manager.

Interviewees:

Alice Howells - speech and language therapy masters student
Ruth Howes - Lead author of the framework and Specialist SLT
Charlotte McCollum - SeniorSpeech and Language Therapist, Chatterbug Ltd
Samantha Thinnesen - Speech and Language Therapy Assistant in Head, Neck and Voice

Resources:

The RCSLT Support Workers Hub with links to the framework: https://www.rcslt.org/members/your-career/support-workers-hub/?option=saml_user_login

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

This, the third in our series of podcasts looking at anti-racism in speech and language therapy, centres on the Anti-racism survey report Feb 2023 which wasresearched and written by SLT student and EDI rep at Reading University, Chloe Nkomo.

Chloe talks about the key takeaways from her report. She is joined by Dorett Davis, one of the founders of the network group 'SLTs of Colour' and RCSLT chair Dr Sean Pert. The group discusses:

Key findings from the report.
Lessons learned, but what still needs to happen.
What can each of do about it?
- How to manage uncomfortable conversations.
- How to challenge racist behaviour, or practices that disadvantage minoritised groups.
- Being able to reflect on your own background and how that might marginalise or advantage you.
- Making a start on this journey.
RCSLT's role in this

Interviewees:

Chloe Nkomo, MSci Speech and Language Therapy at University of Reading
Dorett Davis, Head of CYP Therapies, Lewisham, representing SLTs of Colour
Dr Sean Pert, Chair of the RCSLT and Senior Clinical Lecturer and Consultant Speech and Language Therapist

Useful links from RCSLT

Analysing diversity, equity and inclusion in speech and language therapyNkomo, C., Pagnamenta, E., Nair, V., Chadd, K. and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. (2022). Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Available online: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/
Anti-racism in AHP Education: Building an Inclusive Environment, Council of Deans of Health, April 2023
Highlights the issues affecting minority ethnic Allied Health Professions (AHP) students and provides recommendations for how universities can embed the key principles of anti-racism within their processes.
https://www.councilofdeans.org.uk/2023/04/council-of-deans-of-health-release-new-report-anti-racism-in-ahp-education-building-an-inclusive-environment/
RCSLT’s anti-racism programme of learning: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/programme-of-learning/
RCSLT list of resources on microaggressions and bullying
https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/microaggressions-and-bullying-resources.pdf
RCSLT materials on starting anti-racism conversations in your workplacehttps://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/programme-of-learning/#section-3
Reflecting on positionality using a social identity mapJacobson, D., & Mustafa, N. (2019). Social Identity Map: A Reflexivity Tool for Practicing Explicit Positionality in Critical Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406919870075

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

In RCSLT's May 2023 News podcast:

Dementia Action Week UK
Follow the @RCSLTNI account to engage with their Dementia Action Week Twitter Takeover https://twitter.com/RCSLTNI
Areas of focus including vacancies, prescribing, intermediate care, first contact practitioners, ELSEC
Updated healthcare standards for children in secure settings in England
RCSLT gave evidence to the school absence inquiry from The Education Committee
RCSLT survey on speech and language therapists' experiences of disability in the workplace - take part if you have a disability or not. Survey is open until Friday 26 May: https://www.rcslt.org/news/disability-in-the-workplace-survey/
New national clinical guidelines for stroke: https://www.rcslt.org/news/new-national-clinical-guideline-for-stroke/
Key issues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Update on the Support worker framework
Making data count: https://www.rcslt.org/news/making-data-count/
Nominate someone for the RCSLT Awards 2023: https://www.rcslt.org/news/celebrate-our-amazing-profession/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

Does knowing whether a defendant has a diagnosis of Developmental Language affect how mock jurors rate that defendant's levels of guilt, sentence length, credibility and blameworthiness?

In this podcast we chat with Dr Hannah Hobson, Samantha Gamblen and Claire Westwood about the research they did to answer this question and what it revealed.

The paper is:

The impact of developmental language disorder in a defendant's description on mock jurors’ perceptions and judgements

Hannah Madaleine Hobson, Jemma Woodley, Samantha Gamblen, Joanna Brackely, Fiona O'Neill, Danielle Miles, Claire Westwood

First Published: 10 September 2022

Useful resources:

Access the paper here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14606984/2023/58/1

Access the project dataset, vignette and codebook: https://osf.io/znve3/

RCSLT open access guide to DLD: https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/developmental-language-disorder/

The Box elearning: Free learning to help with understanding what are speech, language and communication needs are and how to recognise them; plus strategies to support.
https://www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/courses/the-box-learning-journey/

Mind your words: Children and young people:
Free elearning to improve your understanding of children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs and speech, language and communication needs.
https://www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/courses/mind-your-words-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health/

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In April's RCSLT News podcast:

New RCSLT CEO, Steve Jamieson, shares his mission for RCSLT and messages for speech and language therapists and the peeople they support. (More about Steve here: www.rcslt.org/news/royal-college…w-chief-executive/)
We look at the results of the recent survey into vacancies in SLT services and some of the media coverage this has generated: www.rcslt.org/news/vacancy-rates…-language-therapy/
Senedd report highlights over-representation of young people with communication needs within criminal justice system: www.rcslt.org/news/senedd-report…al-justice-system/
New Scottish health secretarry, Michael Matheson
HEE merger with NHS England: www.hee.nhs.uk/hee-merges-with-nhs-england
HCPC consultation on the proposed changes to the Standards of conduct, performance and ethics: www.hcpc-uk.org/news-and-events/n…mance-and-ethics/
Anti-racism in AHP education report from the Council of Deans of Health: www.rcslt.org/news/anti-racism-in-ahp-education/
It's the first #GreenerAHP week www.rcslt.org/news/sustainabilit…-language-therapy/
New Professional Development Framework for SLTs: www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-profess…d-to-support-slts/
Statement on thickened fluids: www.rcslt.org/news/our-statement…-thickened-fluids/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Steve Jamieson, RCSLT CEO.

In the March 2023 issue we cover:
- The context of speech language therapy in Scotland right now
- RCSLT's five key priorities for Scotland
- An important win for funding in Edinburgh
- The UK budget
- SEND reform announcement and what it means
- An overview of a recent event in Swansea
- Discussions about the HCPC fee increase
- Two big campaigns: 'Send in the specialists' and 'Prescribing now'.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Glenn Carter, Head of the RCSLT Scotland Office.

Release date:
20 March 2023

Artificial nutrition and hydration (AN&H) may be provided to individuals in the home environment, and family caregivers are often involved in the management of this intervention. This experience can have many consequences for families.

In this podcast we chat with Dr Dominika Lisiecka and Dr Áine Kearns about their systematic review of family caregivers' experiences of artificial nutrition and hydration at home.

The paper is:
A qualitative systematic review of family caregivers’ experiences of artificial nutrition and hydration at home: A meta‐ethnography - Lisiecka - 2022 - International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders
Dominika Lisiecka, Áine Kearns, Aisling Bonass
First published: 19 April 2022

Access the paper here:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12726

NOTES:For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In RCSLT's February news catch up we look at:
- The prescribing campaign
- Survey of Speech and language therapy vacant posts
- Anti-racism deep dive report for speech and language therapy profession just out https://www.rcslt.org/news/new-insights-in-our-anti-racism-report/
- Updates on specialised commissioning in England
- Public Health Scotland report on children's speech, language and communication development during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Wales Senedd event
- And much more!

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

We chat with Kerry, a registered nurse living with long Covid; speech and language therapist Rachel Nashed; and Professor Louise Cummings, to learn more about long covid, how it affects communication, and how can speech and language therapists support those living with the condition.

Interviewees:

Kerry Davies, (RGN) Registered General Nurse and Co-founder and member of Long Covid Nurses and Midwives UK
Rachel Nashed, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Treasurer of the South West Voice Clinical Excellence Network
Professor Louise Cummings, Department of English and Communication, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Resources:Long Covid Nurses and Midwives UK: https://teamlcnmuk.wixsite.com/lcnmuk NHS app reviews | Apps for recovery & rehabilitation | For survivors & clinicians: https://www.my-therappy.co.uk/

Long Covid: What's changed and what we know now, Liz Jackson, BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-63546138

How long Covid ruined my life (and why it won't go away), Rowland Manthorpe, Sky News, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm8WsO_FQYk

https://news.sky.com/story/how-long-covid-ruined-my-life-from-crushing-fatigue-to-brain-fog-12744444

Articles:Long Covid: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2

Cognitive-linguistic difficulties in adults with Long COVID, Prof. Louise Cummings: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781003257318-5/cognitive-linguistic-difficulties-adults-long-covid-louise-cummings

Communication-related quality of life in adults with Long COVID, Prof. Louise Cummings:https://tandfbis.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/rt-files/docs/Open+Access+Chapters/9781003257318_10.4324_9781003257318-6.pdf

Case studies of adults with COVID-19 infection, Prof. Louise Cummings: https://tandfbis.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/rt-files/docs/Open+Access+Chapters/9781003257318_10.4324_9781003257318-13.pdf

Pragmatic impairment in COVID-19, Prof. Louise Cummings: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ip-2022-3001/html?lang=en

Cognitive-linguistic difficulties in COVID-19: A longitudinal case study, Prof Louise Cummings: https://synergypublishers.com/pms/index.php/ijslpa/article/view/2258

Journal article: COVID-19 and language: A case study: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18uDm1o6dUoX8v91lpNPBCbO4e7TllJLl/view

The long road back: Implications of COVID-19 for language and cognition, Cambridge University Press: http://www.cambridgeblog.org/2020/10/the-long-road-back-implicatications

In this month's news catch up we look at:
- Positives to come out of 2022 including raised awareness and apprenticeships
- Focus areas for 2023 including workforce (England and Wales), Mental health and capacity, Covid enquiry and more.
- Issues around the UK such as UK general election - and possibly Northern Ireland - and implications; and in Scotland communication accessibility and children's early language
- Not forgetting, the uniform review

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

In the December 2022 news we cover:
- Achievements for the profession and RCSLT in 2022 - not least speech and language therapists continuing to deliver high quality evidence-based care in a challenging environment; but also in legislation; in guidance and secondary legislation; in research; and in collaborative working.
- What's happening now around the UK: covering key issues in the four nations.
- Looking ahead to 2023: continuing emphasis on morale and wellbeing; SEND reform in England; and a journey to co-production across RCSLT workstreams.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

In this podcast we chat with Àngels Esteller Cano, one of the authors of a paper looking at bullying trajectories in adults with self-reported oral language difficulties. The study looked at seven educational stages, from preschool to university.

The paper is:
Retrospective bullying trajectories in adults with self-reported oral language difficulties
Àngels Esteller-Cano,Lucía Buil-Legaz,Raúl López-Penadés,Eva Aguilar-Mediavilla,Daniel Adrover-Roig
First published: 23 February 2022

Access the paper here:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12708

Resources:
Development, Education, and Language Research Laboratory (I + DELab) https://idel.uib.eu/
NOTES:For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In the November 2022 news update, we cover:

Early analysis of the Chancellor's autumn budget statement.
Issues around the four nations of the UK.
The second anniversary of the Communication Access project.
Reminder for members to complete their profile for the 'Horizon project'.

Resources:
- Sign up for the Communication Access training: communication-access.co.uk/
- Members please login to the RCSLT website to complete your profile for the Horizon project: www.rcslt.org/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

In this episode we are joined by a panel of speakers who discuss why it's important to reframe how society views stammering: moving from thinking of stammering as a problem to be solved, to one that celebrates and takes pride in difference.

Interviewees:

Dr Patrick Campbell, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Kirsten Howells, Support Services Manager, Programme Lead for Adults, Stamma
Jennifer Roche, Senior SLT and lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

Resources:

Stammering Pride and Prejudice by Patrick Campbell, Christopher Constantino and Sam Simpson (Editors), J&R Press, 2019 (Book)
Find the Right Words campaign video from Stamma
Editorial Guidelines for language around stammering, from Stamma
Connecting with others who stammer, through online and in-person groups and professional networks, from Stamma
Connecting with other parents of children who stammer, from Stamma
No Diversity Without Disfluency campaign, from Stamma
I don't need to be fixed - what I wish the world understood about stammering from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

RCSLT resources:

Automated telephone services: a statement from the RCSLT
Twitter takeover by Paul O'Meara

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In the October 2022 news update, we cover:

An overview of where things are on right now.
The new Horizon member profile project.
Key issues in politics right now.
Events for November and December. (See www.rcslt.org/events/ for details.)

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Cara McDonagh, Director of Engagement and Communications.

In the September 2022 news update, we cover:

The new PM; the passing of The Queen; the accession of The King.
The Health and Social Care Secretary of State, Thérèse Coffey, and what that might mean for speech and language therapy.
Key work including 'streamlining' in Wales; the school bill in the UK parliament; and acknowledgement of just how tough it is out there.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

August 2022's news catch up covers:
- Review of SEND in England and six themes for our asks
- Wider issues around crisis in children's services - across the UK
- Mental health DHSC 10 year plan
- Guidance on domestic abuse in England
- Covid public inquiries
- CAUK and wider communication access issues
- Welsh language health and social care plan
- Neurodevelopmental whole system approach in Wales
- Scotland national care service

Production notes:

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

Useful links:

Response to SEND green paper: www.rcslt.org/news/getting-it-ri…-send-green-paper/
Communication Access project: www.rcslt.org/policy/uk-wide/#section-
News: www.rcslt.org/news/

In the July 2022 news update, we cover:

Impact of ministerial changes in Parliament
Integrated Care System updates
Workforce pipeline and transformation
Covid latest
Update on research and outcomes

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT and Judith Broll, Director of Professional Development.

Useful links:
What you need to know about Integrated Care Systems (England): https://www.rcslt.org/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-integrated-care-systems/

Workforce reform programme:
https://www.rcslt.org/members/get-involved/current-rcslt-projects/workforce-reform-programme/

Owning outcomes: outcome measurement to deliver quality services: event presentations:
https://www.rcslt.org/events/owning-outcomes-outcome-measurement-to-deliver-quality-services/

In this podcast we chat with Rebecca Waring, one of the authors of a paper looking at the differences between phonological delay and phonological disorder and how the disorder is linked to executive function.

The paper is:
Differentiating phonological delay from phonological disorder: executive function performance in preschoolers
Rebecca Waring,Susan Rickard Liow,Barbara Dodd,Patricia Eadie
First published: 21 January 2022

Access the paper here:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1460-6984.12694 Useful resources:CLAESSEN, M., LEITÃO, S., and FRASER, C-J., 2017, Intervention for a young child with atypical phonology. In B. Dodd and A. Morgan (Eds.). Intervention Case Studies of Child Speech Impairment (pp. 275–291). Surrey, England: J&R Press.

CROSBIE, S., HOLM, A., and DODD, B., 2009, Cognitive flexibility in children with and without speech Disorder. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 25 (2), 250-270.

DODD, B., 2011, Differentiating speech delay from speech disorder: Does it matter? Topics in Language Disorders, 31, 96-111.

JACQUES, S. and ZELAZO, P.D., 2001, The flexible item selection task (FIST): A measure of executive function in pre-schoolers. Developmental Neuropsychology, 20(3), 573-591.

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In the May 2022 news update, we cover:

The Health and Care Strategy implementation
Integrated Care System updates
Messenger review
SEND survey
UN conference
Children's listening event
RCSLT in the news
and so, so much more!

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

The RCSLT is introducing new eating, drinking and swallowing competencies for pre-registration speech and language therapy students. In this episode we walk you through why these are being introduced, what they involve and the difference they will make.

Interviewees:

Kirsty Catling, Professional Education Lead, SLT lecturer, UCL
Kathleen Graham as stand-in, Project coordinator pre-registration eating, drinking and swallowing

Useful links from RCSLT:

Pre-registration eating, drinking and swallowing competencies hub
Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #RCSLTEDS

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

This is the second in a series of episodes which we will be releasing in 2022 which will look at anti-racism in the speech and language therapy profession.

In this episode leaders of the network group 'SLTs of Colour' (Angela Whiteley, Heeral Davda and Dorett Davis) chat with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' chair, Mary Heritage, and consultant Kiki Maurey OBE MBA. In 2020 RCSLT commissioned Kiki to undertake an independent review of how it might move towards a more diverse board. In this episode we look at what Kiki's findings and recommendations and what RCSLT is doing and has done in response. There is a link to the report and actions in the Useful links below.

About SLTs of Colour:SLTs of Colour is an inclusive network supporting Speech & Language Therapists in the UK, posting SLT profiles on Instagram. Find SLTs of Colour on Twitter and Instagram:

SLTs of Colour Twitter
SLTs of Colour Instagram

Useful links from RCSLT:

An update on the RCSLT's committment to anti-racism and equality, diversity and inclusion and our work so far, including a link to Kiki Maurey's report: https://www.rcslt.org/news/progressing-our-work-on-equality-diversity-and-inclusion/
Anti-racism in speech and language therapy: part 1: Listen here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1211822/episodes/9699091 or or via your favourite podcast app.
Raising concerns about racism: advice for members: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/raising-concerns-about-racism-advice-for-members/ Note that this is open-access.
RCSLT anti-racism updates:https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/updates/
Ida B. Wells: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_B._Wells
The Hill we Climb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdKdyemxbew

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In the May 2022 news update, we cover:

Key inclusions in the Queen's speech.
Events in Northern Ireland.
Welsh government programme for transforming and modernising care and reducing waiting lists.
SEND reform in England.
Implementation of the Health and Care Act including ICS plans and a name change.
Plus lots more - it's a busy month!

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT.

In this podcast we interview Amy Connery, one of the authors of a paper that aims to build stakeholder consensus on the core components of intervention for adults who stutter, and to establish a guiding framework for the design and development of evidence-based interventions for adults who stutter.

The paper is:
Obtaining consensus on core components of stuttering intervention for adults: An e-Delphi Survey with key stakeholders
Amy Connery, J. Scott Yaruss, Holly Lomheim, Torrey M. Loucks, Rose Galvin, Arlene McCurtin
First published: 24 November 2021

Access the paper here:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12680

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

This month's podcast is all about the vision the RCSLT has for the next five years. Listen to find out what it is, how it came together as a collaborative process, the eight areas of focus, and hear examples of how the organisation is going to deliver on those areas of focus. RCSLT's Chair of the Board, Mary Heritage, and its CEO, Kamini Gadhok MBE are our guides.

Read the strategic vision here: www.rcslt.org/about-us/#section-6
Find out about our Equality, diversity and inclusion work here: www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity…n-and-anti-racism/

Show produced by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning, RCSLT

In this episode we explore the complex topic of health inequalities which are being exacerbated by the pandemic and cost of living crisis. We discuss the social and economic impacts as well as some ideas about how these inequalities can be addressed.

Interviewees:

Michelle Morris, Consultant Speech & Language Therapist
SRO, Greater Manchester Early Years Pathway for Speech, Language & Communication.
Sahar Nashir, specialist speech and language therapist - CCPNR (Cambridge Centre for Paediatric Neuropsychological Rehabilitation)
Berenice Napier, Policy Adviser, The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Useful links from RCSLT:

RCSLT Online Outcomes Tool - 'ROOT'
Health inequalities resource
Health inequalities audit tool

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In the March 2022 news update, we discuss:

Response to the government's 'Road to Recovery' plans.
'Equity for all' report in Scotland.
AHP event in Northern Ireland.
Swallow Awareness Day 2022.
And much more!

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn,

Release date:
16 March 2022

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) services have a two week window in which they must see people presenting with symptoms which might indicate cancer. The pressure on these services has grown hugely since the pandemic and now we need novel approaches to help reduce the backlog and improve the experience for patients.

In this episode of our series on papers from the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders we chat with Louise Occomore-Kent, speech and language therapist (SLT), about ways in which SLTs might support with increased pressure on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) pathway services.

Louise, and fellow researchers, Ellie Hatch and Madeline Cruice, explored SLTs’ views of extending their role to work with patients referred on the ENT two week wait pathway, to speed up diagnosis for those who are found to have cancer and to provide a pathway for the majority who do not have cancer, but still have issues which need to be addressed.

The paper is:
Scoping opinion: Speech and language therapists’ views on extending their role to the urgent ear, nose and throat pathway.
Louise C. Occomore-Kent,Ellie Hatch,Madeline Cruice
First published: 26 July 2021

Access the paper here:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12650

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In February's update we cover:

Progress of the Health Bill in the House of Lords (England)
Consultation on regulation of professional bodies (UK wide)
Down Syndrome Bill (England)
British Sign Language bill (England)
Northern Ireland Assembly and implications of departure of the first minister (Northern Ireland)
Senedd work on hospital discharge and patient flow (Wales)
- RCSLT reports on long Covid and sustained impact from Covid: https://www.rcslt.org/news/long-covid-and-sustained-impact-reports/

This interview is conducted by Mark Singleton, Learning Officer at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at RCSLT,

In the January 2022 news update, we discuss:

Discuss some of the big issues for 2022 including impact of Covid-19 but also key parts of the RCSLT's new vision
Health and Care Bill (England) at Lords Committee stage
Regulation consultation
AHP strategy
Updates from Wales
RCSLT's professional network on workforce issues (access here for RCSLT members only: community.rcslt.org/s/group/Collabo…0Y000006IPl9UAG)
Policy and public affairs team impact report: www.rcslt.org/policy/uk-wide/

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn,

Release date:
18 January 2022

This is the first in a series of episodes which we will be releasing in 2022 which will look at anti-racism in the speech and language therapy profession. In this episode leaders of the network group 'SLTs of Colour' (Angela Whiteley, Heeral Davda and Dorett Davis) chat with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' chair, Mary Heritage, about the need for anti-racism awareness in the profession and the ways this is being taken forwards.

About SLTs of Colour:SLTs of Colour is an inclusive network supporting Speech & Language Therapists in the UK, posting SLT profiles on Instagram. Find SLTs of Colour on Twitter and Instagram:

SLTs of Colour Twitter
SLTs of Colour Instagram

Useful links from RCSLT:

Raising concerns about racism: advice for members: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/raising-concerns-about-racism-advice-for-members/ Note that this is open-access.
Anti-racism in speech and language therapy – programme of learning: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/programme-of-learning/#section-2
Starting conversations in your workplace (toolkit):https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/programme-of-learning/#section-3
RCSLT anti-racism updates:https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/updates/

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In December's news update, we:

Take a look back at 2021
Consider the challenges for 2022
Talk about health and social care in Northern Ireland
Discuss the upcoming Northern Ireland elections and manifesto asks
Think about our ambitions for the speech and language therapy profession and those speech and language therapists serve for 2022.

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, RCSLT's Director of Policy and Public Affairs and Ruth Sedgewick, RCSLT's Head of Northern Ireland Office.

In this episode we chat with Claire Slinger Consultant Speech & Language Therapist (Lancashire & South Cumbria Severe Asthma & Airways service ) and one of her patients, Iain, about the speech and language therapy role in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of upper airways disorders. We look at the the impact that upper airways disorders have on patients and how speech and language therapy can make a positive difference.

References:

Newman KB, Mason 3rd UG, Schmaling KB. Clinical features of vocal cord dysfunction. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. 1995 Oct;152(4):1382-6
Murphy JM, Stephen S, Pearson F, DeSoyza A. P108 A systematic review to explore the relationship between inducible laryngeal obstruction and healthcare utilisation in adults with Asthma.

Useful links:

RCSLT updated position paper on upper airways disorders: https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RCSLT-upper-airways-position-paper-October-2021.pdf
NHS England Specialised Respiratory Services (adult) - Severe Asthma https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/specialised-respiratory-services-adult-severe-asthma/
European Respiratory Society Cough guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in adults and children | European Respiratory Society (ersjournals.com) https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/55/1/1901136

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

The RCSLT news podcast for November 2021 includes:
- BuildBackBetterSLT petition response from the Government
- What the Spending Review means for speech and language therapy in England
- RCSLT health inequalities work recognised by the Royal Society for Public Health www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity…alth-inequalities/
- Communication Access birthday communication-access.co.uk/#
- and much more

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and features Derek Munn, RCSLT's Director of Policy and Public Affairs.

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is associated with growth deficits and neurodevelopmental impairment including foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Difficulties with oral and written communication skills are common among children with PAE; however, less is known about how communication skills of adolescents who have PAE compare with those who do not. Adolescence is a critical time for development, supporting the transition into adulthood, but it is considered a high-risk period for those with FASD.

The paper is:
Oral and written communication skills of adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) compared with those with no/low PAE: A systematic review

Access the paper here:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12644
Natalie R. Kippin, Suze Leitão, Rochelle Watkins, Amy Finlay-Jones

Useful links:
https://www.nofasd.org.au/

https://www.fasdhub.org.au/

https://nationalfasd.org.uk/

https://www.adoptionuk.org/fasd-hub

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

The RCSLT news podcast for October 2021 includes:
- Communication Access campaign initiative: how it's going from strength to strength and how we'll be celebrating its year anniversary in November
- key issues in Parliament including the spending review, the social care levy, the NHS Bill
- SLTs are on the taskforce for government work on behaviour and alternative provision
- Elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Meetings with Scottish ministers and officials on Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Inclusive Communication

This month's catch up covers three main areas:

Updates to Covid and how members can get support https://www.rcslt.org/learning/covid-19/
What to look forward to in this year's RCSLT conferencehttps://www.rcslt.org/events/rcslt-conference-2021/
Campaigns including the upcoming anniversary of the launch of the CAUK training and DLD awareness day
https://www.rcslt.org/policy/uk-wide/#section-3
https://www.rcslt.org/members/clinical-guidance/developmental-language-disorder/
and much more

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In this IJLCD episode we interview Charlie Strutt and Ghada Khattab about their paper in the IJLCD: 'Does the duration and frequency of dummy (pacifier) use affect the development of speech?'

The current literature suggests a link between dummy (or pacifier) use and a number of both positive and detrimental consequences. Positive consequences include soothing effect and protection from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), while negative ones include increased risk of otitis media and dental malformation. However, there is little research surrounding the impact of dummy use on the development of speech sounds.

The paper is:
Does the duration and frequency of dummy (pacifier) use affect the development of speech?

Access the paper here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12605

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

RCSLT news for August 2021 covers:

How the #FundSLT petition is going and plans to expand the reach. If you haven't signed yet please do and if you have please share with friends, family and colleagues petition.parliament.uk/petitions/587872
News across the UK including:
Northern Ireland - SEN, election prep, waiting times
Wales - Additional learning needs, Speech Language and Communication pathway, long covid
Scotland - Programme for Government, National Care Service
NHS reform bill
HEE workforce evidence, pandemic backlog and more
Working with service users, members and staff to shape the future of the profession. What's happened and what's next.

This month's catch up covers a large span of work:

Breaking news on the Build Back Better petition to Parliament for speech and language therapy funding (Campaign: www.rcslt.org/get-involved/build…es-after-covid-19/ ) (Petition: www.tinyurl.com/SLTBBB)
Covid and long Covid developments
Neurodiversity in prisons in England
NHS reform in England second reading in Parliament
Mental health reform in Northern Ireland
Race equality action plan in Wales

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In this podcast we interview Jessica Cannons and Katherine Buckeridge. When Jess was ten she suffered a serious stroke due to a cardiotoxic chemotherapy drug she was taking for her first cancer. She talks about what life was like after the stroke and her journey through rehabilitation. Katherine is a specialist speech and language therapist who worked with Jess following the stroke. Katherine published an article on her research about childhood acquired brain injuries in the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders.

References:Buckeridge K, Clarke C, Sellers D. (2020) Adolescents’ experiences of communication following acquired brain injury
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12506

Useful links:
The Children’s Trust https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk in particular these pages https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/brain-injury-information
The Child Brain Injury Trust https://childbraininjurytrust.org.uk/
The Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org.uk/childhood-stroke
The United Kingdom Brain Injury Forum https://ukabif.org.uk/

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In this IJLCD episode the late Professor James Law and Dr. Jenna Charlton discuss the findings of their rapid review of the use of telepractice in paediatric speech & language therapy.

Their paper is:
'Tele-practice for children and young people with communication disabilities: Employing the COM-B model to review the intervention literature and inform guidance for practitioners'

Access the paper here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12592

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

Resources:

RCSLT guidance re telehealth https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/telehealth/telehealth-guidance/#section-1
Joint ESLA/ReSNetSLT tweetchat/webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxpgtQ9Lw7E
IJLCD virtual issue on remote and technology enhanced SLT practice https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1460-6984.remote.technology.enhanced

The interview is conducted by Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In this episode we talk to Melanie Cross, Speech and Language Therapist and Dr Hannah Hobson, Lecturer, Department of Psychology, University of Yorkabout the the links between speech, language and communication needs and social, emotional and mental health needs in children and young people. We look at some of the factors involved; difficulties accessing diagnosis and support and discuss ways to improve outcomes for children and young people, including more joined up working, improving communication access for all and further research.

Resources:

Mind your words: Children and young people's mental health elearning:This online training highlights the links between mental health and communication and outlines how professionals can work together to remove communication barriers and help these children and young people achieve their potential. The course consists of 15 modules, of which the first five apply to all settings.
Access the free training here: https://www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/course/view.php?id=16

RCSLT factsheet on social, emotional and mental health
https://www.rcslt.org/members/clinical-guidance/social-emotional-mental-health/social-emotional-and-mental-health-influencing/#section-3

Emerging Minds Special Interest Research Group:The Emerging Minds special interest research group (SIRG) is aiming to find out what research is needed on SEMH and SLCN, more information is here https://emergingminds.org.uk/special-interest-research-groups/.

We’d really like to know what research you think is needed. Please give us your views and send this survey around your professional networks ( and to families who experience DLD ) using this anonymous link: https://york.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cAaEWew9CQ4HD02

Communication Access UK: an initiative developed in partnership by charities and organisations that share a vision to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties. There is a Communication Access Symbol, a new disability access symbol, which is underpinned by a training package and standards.
Access the free training here: https://communication-access.co.uk/

It’s also important to understand how difficult screening for and assessment of SLCN and DLD are. See Professor Courtney Norbury’s blog for more information about screening. http://www.lilac-lab.org/news-post/to-screen-or-not-to-screen-important-factors-to-consider/ and there’s more information about assessment in Mind your Words.

References:Hollo A, Wehby JH, Oliver RM. (2014) Unidentified Language Deficits in Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. Exceptional Children; 80(2): 169-186.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/001440291408000203

Newlove-Delgado, T., McManus, S., Sadler, K., Thandi, S., Vizard, T., Cartwright, C., & Ford, T. (2021). Child mental health in England before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(5), 353–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30570-8

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

June news from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Covering:
- Build back better campaign and petition
(Campaign: www.rcslt.org/get-involved/build…es-after-covid-19/ )
(Petition: www.tinyurl.com/SLTBBB)
- Strategic plan work
- Follow up on Scottish and Welsh elections
- Communication Access project update
(Elearning here: communication-access.co.uk/)
- What else is hot right now

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

RCSLT news May 2021: inc Build Back Better campaign; election results; Covid pandemic to endemic; Queens' Speech; anti-racism; mental health.

The new - free - elearning mentioned in the interview is called 'Mind Your Words' and it is designed to support those working with children and young people with mental health needs. It aims to improve understanding of children and young people who have both mental health needs – or social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) – and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). To access the elearning please head here:
https://www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/course/view.php?id=16

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In this episode we talk to practice educators and service managers about the importance of placements to them and the profession:

Tracey Day, Independent Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), paediatric, plus Practice educator
Emma Ferris, Practice educator, plus SLT Lecturer and Academic Lead for Practice Education, University of East Anglia
Eleanor Douglas, SLT in the Adult Learning Disability team, NHS Lothian. Experienced as both Placement coordinator and as a Practice educator.
Carolyn Hawkes, Service Lead, West Edinburgh and supporting author on new guidance, and previous practice educator.

This is the third and final episode in a short series of podcasts in which we explore how placements are evolving, the impact of the pandemic, and how we hope to create more placements in the future to meet the needs of the profession.

The recently launched new guidance for practice-based learning can be found here (note that this is open access so non-members can see it too).

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In this episode we talk to three speech and language therapy students about the importance of placements to their education:

Vivian Wong, Masters student, Reading University. Presented at an RCSLT event last year giving student perspectives on challenges and opportunities for best practice in on clinical placements.
Kerry O’Sullivan, Masters student, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Writing her Masters thesis on, 'What makes a positive placement experience for SLT students in the UK.'
Ruth Filer, SLT student, Leeds Beckett University, recently collaborated on a toolkit for technology enabled care services for practice learning.

This is the second in a short series of podcasts in which we explore how placements are evolving, the impact of the pandemic, and how we hope to create more placements in the future to meet the needs of the profession.

The recently launched new guidance for practice-based learning can be found here (note that this is open access so non-members can see it too).

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Listen for the latest on RCSLT's recent service user survey of speech and language therapy provision during the pandemic and the Building Back Better report which it prompted (see more here: https://www.rcslt.org/get-involved/building-back-better-speech-and-language-therapy-services-after-covid-19/)
Hear the latest on how Covid is impacting on waiting lists; the case for better ventilation of enclosed spaces; and clear masks.
Plus more on NHS reform in England and a win in the House of Lords on the Domestic Abuse Bill.

This interview is conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In this IJLCD episode, we talk to Richard Cave, who works with the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND), about an article he’s written on voice banking. Voice banking is a process in which people who suffer from MND or other conditions are given the opportunity to record their own synthetic voices for use with an AAC device in the future.

IJLCD (Wiley link):
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1460-6984.12588

For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’

MND:
https://www.mndassociation.org/

RCSLT pages on voice banking:
https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/voice-banking/

You can follow Richard on Twitter (@speedoftrust27) to get more information about free Voice Banking training sessions for SLTs who may be interested in this exciting technology.

The interview is conducted by Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

In this episode we talk to Jo Sandiford, Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University about student placements and the new placement guidance document which Jo authored.

This is the first in a short series of podcasts in which we explore how placements are evolving, the impact of the pandemic, and how we hope to create more placements in the future to meet the needs of the profession.

The recently launched new guidance for practice-based learning can be found here (note that this is open access so non-members can see it too).

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Welcome to the March 2021 news catch up from The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, covering Covid-19; health and care in government budgets; and an update on the RCSLT survey of people's access to speech and language therapy which is coming soon.
(More about the survey here: www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-survey-…ge-therapy-update/)

For members the podcast delves into member wellbeing and some key events coming this year.
- Health and wellbeing resources: www.rcslt.org/learning/covid-19/health-wellbeing/
- Member events: www.rcslt.org/events/

The interview is conducted by Vicky Harris, Head of Learning and features Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, RCSLT and Rachel Purkett, Director of Engagement and Communications, RCSLT.

Today’s podcast is on a paper from the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders. Every other month RCSLT selects an article from the journal that we think will be of interest to the wider speech and language therapy community and interview the authors.

This episode is with Triona Sweeney and Debbie Sell, authors of the paper:

'Randomized controlled trial comparing Parent Led Therapist Supervised Articulation Therapy (PLAT) with routine intervention for children with speech disorders associated with cleft palate' (July 2020)
Over 50% of children with cleft palate require speech therapy. However, there is a lack of timely, accessible speech therapy services in the UK and Ireland. Previous studies have shown that parents can deliver therapy effectively, and that connected health can support the delivery of speech therapy. This study aims to provide evidence that parent‐led therapy with the supervision of a specialist cleft therapist using FaceTime is effective.

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’

The interview is conducted by Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Find out why we are launching a podcast about the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders (The IJLCD) and what you can expect to hear. Featuring Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Listen for the latest on Covid-19 including RCSLT's work with the AGP Alliance www.rcslt.org/media-centre/healt…l-to-matt-hancock/, clear masks, vaccinations and wellbeing. Find out about the big areas of focus for RCSLT over the next year and key issues to be aware of in politics which impact on speech and language therapy.

Today’s podcast is the start of a new series in conjunction with the International Journal of Language and Communications Disorders. Every other month RCSLT selects an article from the journal that we think will be of interest to the wider SLT community and interview the authors.

This episode is with Hollyanna Marler and Annabel Ditton, authors of the paper: “I'm smiling back at you”: Exploring the impact of mask wearing on communication in healthcare.

IJLCD Article:
“I'm smiling back at you”: Exploring the impact of mask wearing on communication in healthcare - Marler - - International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders - Wiley Online Library https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12578

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In this first episode of 2021 we begin with four words to describe the positive learning from 2020.
We move on to cover how the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is influencing policy around Covid-19 and how the disease is impacting on services now and in approaches to rehabilitation. We also look at key legislation relating to speech and language therapy and what's going on in the four nations.

Kamini Gadhok CEO of RCSLT joins Derek Munn for the latest Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy news. It's a look back over an extraordinary year and plans for 2021.

In this episode we talk to Christian Boakye an SLT as Feltham Young Offenders Institution. It's a fascinating look into how speech and language therapy can help young offenders deal with custodial sentences and improve their chances of rehabilitation upon release. We also talk about prison abolition, diversity in the workforce and other issues related to criminal justice.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

In this episode we talk to two members of the AAC outcomes working party about how they use the ROOT to collect and analyse outcomes data for AAC interventions. We also speak to colleagues at RCSLT about what ROOT is and how you can get involved in the project. This episode will be of interest to anyone who want to collect and analyse TOMS (therapy outcome measures) data for their service or trust.

Hear the latest effects of COVID-19 on speech and language therapy provision, and find out about a survey we're running on access to speech and language therapy during #COVID19 .

Learn about developments in early language guidance; work in justice and updates to our anti-racism and diversity workstreams. There's good news about our new Communication Access UK project to improve everyday communication for people with speech, language and communication needs: www.communication-access.co.uk (and follow on Twitter with the hashtag #CommunicationAccess)

Derek Munn and Judith Broll of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists bring us up to date on the latest work around Covid-19 and key workstreams including mental health, dysphagia and supporting recruitment into and progression through the profession. They tell us what they find inspiring about speech and language therapists.

In this episode we interview Sarah Hay, a Glasgow based SLT, on how the service she has delivered has changed and improved during the pandemic.

In this episode we talk to Dr Paula Leslie about education and training, here and in the US as well as a number of other topics such as research and bioethics.

There's a lot to report on this month: unsurprisingly Covid issues are at the forefront including PPE, advocating for the Aerosol Generating Procedures list, rehabilitation and telehealth. Please do keep an eye on our Covid pages here to stay up to date: www.rcslt.org/learning/covid-19
Hear about the recent House of Lords debate on prescribing; work on the Children and Young People transformation plan; the NICE severe mental health guidance; twitter takeovers; our anti-racism work and our user survey; plus even more.

This month we look at ongoing work from Covid-19 and how the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is supporting services now and for the future and how it wants to find out what impact Covid has had on service users. In this episode we discover what RCSLT is up to internationally.

Here are some key pieces of work which are mentioned in the discussion:

Survey coming soon on the impact on service users:
www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-announc…py-during-covid-19

Diversity, inclusion and antiracism work: www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity…on-and-anti-racism

NHS People plan response: www.rcslt.org/-/media/docs/NHS-P…0FB30DE0D362653938

In this episode, Amit Kulkarni, head of research and outcomes at RCSLT interviews the departing editors of the International Journal of Language and Communications Disorders (IJLCD), Steven Bloch and Cristina McKean.

In today’s podcast, we interview Pam Enderby, emeritus professor of Community Rehabilitation at Sheffield University and former chair of RCSLT. Pam talks about how she became interested in SLT, her landmark case for equal pay and what she intends to do as the newly appointed president of the International Association of Communication and Science Disorders (formerly known as the International Association of Logopaedics and Phoniatrics).

IALP:

https://ialpasoc.info/

ROOT:

https://rcslt-root.org/ **3 hours:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/08/three-hours-rosamund-lupton-review

Far from the tree:
https://www.ifcfilms.com/films/far-from-the-tree

Broadchurch:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2249364/**

In July's catch up we cover updates on Covid-19, key workstreams including Black Lives Matter and what's happening in the nations, plus some new ways of working that members are keen to hold on to.

Latest update on RCSLT's Black Lives Matter work: www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-update-…and-diversity-work

In this month's catch up Derek Munn of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, discusses the RCSLT response around Black Lives Matter; workstreams around Covid-19; matters happening around the four nations of the UK and the importance of involving service users. For resources mentioned during the chat please see:
Black Lives Matter: a statement: www.rcslt.org/news/black-lives-matter-a-statement
Covid-19 resources: www.rcslt.org/learning/covid-19

In our latest interview we had the privelege of a socially-distanced chat with Dr Hannah Crawford, Professional Head of a Speech and Language Service, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) advisor, lecturer and fellow.

Hannah describes her experience as someone managing SLTs during the pandemic. She describes the range of covid-19 impacts that SLTs are treating and service delivery changes like trialling different methods of contacting service users; what things help; working in the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and following the guidance around Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to continue to see the most urgent people.

In this month's RCSLT catch up we join Derek Munn and Judith Broll of RCSLT and reflect on how the SLT profession has swung into action in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but also how much non-Covid work is taking place across services and through RCSLT workstreams.

Mary Hartshorne, Director of Impact at ICAN and Amit Kulkarni, Research Manager at the RCSLT, discuss the What Works? website – how to use it, how it can make your life easier, and how you can get involved! www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/whatworks

Kamini Gadhok MBE, CEO and Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, of the RCSLT, discuss how speech and language therapists are supporting the COVID-19 response and how RCSLT is adapting its ways of working to help them. They also share the work that's been going on to influence the governments in all four nations and highlight key areas of focus.

We discuss all things leadership with Carrie Biddle, therapies clinical governance and quality lead for The Royal Cornwall hospitals Trust and SW Region AHP Leadership fellow for Health Education England. In this conversation we cover everyday leadership, leadership in a crisis such as Covid-19, different leadership styles and how SLTs' training in communication is so important to good leadership.

Carrie also talks about the need for professions to work together, holistically focusing on the whole person when delivering therapy, but having an awareness of where their skills crossover with those of other professions and valuing the unique skills they bring.

Amit Kulkarni (RCSLT Research Manager) and Dr. Hazel Roddam (Reader in Allied Health Practice at the University of Central Lancashire) have fun discussing all things evidence-based practice, from the warmth of a local London cafe!
RCSLT Evidence-Based Practice pages: www.rcslt.org/members/research/e…nce-based-practice

We chatted with Derek Munn about the Budget, RCSLT's 75th anniversary, parliamentary coverage and other issues in the world of politics and public affairs .

Lee Ridley, AKA ‘Lost Voice Guy’, and winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2018 headlined a recent gig hosted by Newcastle University’s Speech and Language Therapy Society.
Lee was kind enough to spare some time before the show to have a chat with RCSLT's Director of Engagement and Communications, Rachel Purkett. He covers how and why he got into comedy, the challenges he's faced and what motivates him.

Lee has written a book, ‘I’m Only In It For The Parking: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1787631478/re…_U_DVnDEbDCRZKXB

Instructional Designer, Jacques Strauss, talks to Ruth Williams author of the RCSLT Influencing learning Journey. Ruth Williams is Clinical Directorate Lead at iCares, Sandwell General Hospital and is an SLT by profession. She talks about her experiences of leadership and influencing in her career.

Claire Ewen is currently working on a PhD looking at what SLTs love in their jobs and what frustrates them and can be changed, or minimised.

We met up with Ruth Williams, Clinical Directorate Lead at iCares, in Sandwell and West Birmingham, to talk about the importance of self-care and resilience; and why it's key to consider what's going on under the surface for others. Ruth was presenting at Birmingham City University where she was talking with students. BCU students Ross, Mark and Rebekah also feature. Many thanks to all involved!

Derek Munn, RCSLT Director of Policy and Public Affairs, discusses RCSLT's 75th anniversary, what he loves about the profession and what's been happening in his world.
Find out how to engage with your MP about the value of speech and language therapy here: rcslt.eaction.org.uk/newparliament

In his first podcast of 2020 Derek looks at what's in the Queen's Speech; the formation of a new government in Northern Ireland; workforce and 18-25 transition in Scotland; and engaging with candidates ready for the 2021 elections to the Welsh Assembly.
CORRECTION: At 3:30 Derek mentions 'grants'. This should be 'loans'.

Derek Munn chats with Mark Singleton about the possible implications of the outcome of last week's UK general election and other things going on in the world of politics and public affairs relating to speech and language therapy.

Amit Kulkarni and Katie Chadd of the RCSLT Research Team tell us about the process RCSLT uses to establish the research priorities for the profession, this time with a spotlight on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
To find out more about the work, visit the RCSLT website www.rcslt.org/members/research/r…iorities#section-4 or get in touch with info@rcslt.org to share your story.

At the cusp of the new decade Kamini Gadhok, CEO of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Della Money, Chair of the Board, look back at the last ten years and forwards to what the future might hold.

Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs chats with Vicky and Mark from the RCSLT Learning Team about the UK General Election manifestos and other public affairs issues.

Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, and Vicky Harris, Learning Manager, catch up on the what's been happening.

Here is the General Election webpage which Derek mentioned
www.rcslt.org/get-involved/giving-voice#section-9

and here is the specific document:
www.rcslt.org/-/media/docs/givin…CEF6FB1EE1BADB8100

Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at RCSLT talks with Victoria Harris, Learning Manager, about policy and public affairs affecting the world of Speech and Language Therapy this week.

Interviews with RCSLT members at the 2019 RCSLT conference. This event explored, Improving quality in speech and language therapy: Everyone’s business, and showcased the latest in research and service delivery.innovations.www.rcslt.org/past-events/rcslt-conference-2019