What we do
The Primary Care Speech and Language Therapy team help adults who have acquired communication difficulties, language disorder, stammering, voice and/or eating/drinking/swallowing difficulties.
These difficulties are often the result of:
- Stroke
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Other Neurological Conditions
- Respiratory conditions
- Cancer
- Brain Injury
Who we see
We see adults who live in our catchment area. This area generally covers Dublin 7, Dublin 11 and Dublin 15.
We work with the person experiencing the communication or swallowing difficulty and their support network e.g. their family or friends.
Where we are based
We work in local health centres.
Finglas, Glasnevin (North)
Wellmount Health Centre, Wellmount Park, Finglas, Dublin 11, D11 RH76
Phone: 01 856 7700
Cabra, Ashtown, Grangegorman, Navan Road
Navan Road Primary Care Centre, Navan Road, Dublin 7, D07 K229
Phone: 01 868 6800
Ongar, Mulhuddart, Blakestown, Blanchardstown
Blanchardstown Primary Care Centre, Grove Court, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, D15 HNT2
Phone: 01 829 7233
Carpenterstown, Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, Roselawn
Roselawn Health Centre, Roselawn Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15, D15 PC90
Phone: 01 646 4500
Cost of Service
There is no cost to see a Speech & Language Therapist. Our service is free.
Making a Referral
If you want to come to our service you must fill out a form, called a referral form. This form is sent to the Central Referral office.
Adult Primary Care Services Referral Form (PDF, 702 KB, 9 pages)
You can get more information on this form online or by calling into your local health centre.
A referral should be led by the person experiencing the communication or swallowing difficulty. Referral forms must be signed showing us consent.
Referrals for swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) must be made by a medical, nursing or allied health professional. Referral forms must be filled out in full with all relevant information and reports included. Referral forms with missing information will be returned to the referral source.
People residing in nursing homes may be referred to the service if they can attend clinic-based appointments.
What happens to a referral form?
We read the referral form when it arrives. We make sure that the referral has come to the right service.
Sometimes we will ask for more information or if there are reports available.
We send a letter to say that we have accepted the referral, this means we will offer an assessment appointment. The letter goes to the person who filled in the form and the person who has communication and/or dysphagia needs.
Sometimes we refuse a referral. If we refuse it, we will explain why. For example they are already attending speech and language therapy or do not live within our catchment area. We will send a letter to the person who filled in the form to explain.
How long do I have to wait?
New people go on a waiting list for assessment. After assessment, if the person needs therapy there is another waiting time.
Our waiting times are not always the same. It depends on different things, like:
- how many staff we have
- how many people want to use the service
We are working to reduce our waiting times for services.
Appointments
The speech and language therapy team send appointments by post. People who are waiting for our service should tell us if they change address.
The first appointment is an assessment appointment.
Most appointments are at the local health centre, in some cases a home visit may be arranged.
In the case of swallowing difficulties, instrumental examinations (ie Videofluoroscopy, F.E.E.S) may be accessed by people referred to the service and who have been assessed by one of our Speech and Language Therapists. These examinations are hospital-based and are completed following G.P. consent.
If someone requires therapy they will be placed on a waitlist for therapy. The type of therapy offered will be based on the needs of the person. Therapy may be:
- Individual sessions or
- Group session with other people who have similar needs
Therapy appointments will take approximately 40 minutes. The goals for therapy will be agreed at the start of therapy.
Attendance
- If for any reason someone cannot attend an appointment, we request that they give at least 24 hours notice of a cancellation. This means that the appointment may be offered to another person.
- If someone does not attend appointments without giving prior notice, they may not be offered further appointments.
- If someone is running late for an appointment, we ask that they phone the health centre. If someone arrives more than 15 minutes after a scheduled appointment time, it may not be possible to proceed with the appointment.
Protection of Children and Vulnerable People
We have a duty to make sure that our clients are well and safe. We have a duty towards children and vulnerable people. Vulnerable people are people who need help to make sure they are not abused. For example, a person with a learning disability is a vulnerable person.
Staff who work with children receive training called Children First. Staff who work with adults have special guidelines to follow.
If we are concerned about someone, we have to follow these guidelines.
If you want to learn more about these guidelines, you can look at these websites:
Data Protection and Freedom of Information
We hold some information about people attending our service in our files and on HSE computers (e.g. your contact details, your reports). There are protections in place to keep information private and safe. There are two laws that support this. . These laws are:
- Data Protection Law
- Freedom of Information Law
Find out more about your rights
Useful links and websites
General information
Stammering
Voice
- The British Voice Association is the 'voice for voice' in the UK, an association of multi-disciplinary professionals who work to promote the field of voice.
Aphasia
- Aphasia Ireland provides awareness and support for those with aphasia and their families.
Dysphagia
Related Conditions
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