Background to the Research

• In the period between November 2003 and October 2004, the Legal & Complaints Department of NICCY received eighteen complaints relating to a lack of SLT services in NI, of which sixteen were made formally. From the overall complaints, thirteen were made specifically in relation to the provision of SLT services, while in the remaining five, the lack of SLT provision was a significant factor in a range of other educational and health issues.
• NICCY decided to carry out a preliminary survey of SLT provision and liaise with the Service Improvement Unit of the DHSSPS in relation to piloting alternative models of delivery.
  

Research Approach

• All HSS Trusts who provide SLT services in NI (14) were asked to respond to a short questionnaire based on areas that were highlighted as being important by the NICCY steering Group. They were also asked to indicate the numbers of children/young people currently waiting for initial assessment. Additionally, the Education and Library Boards were asked to provide details in relation to the numbers of children statemented with Speech and Language difficulties.
  

Main Findings

• The total number of children and young people statemented for SLT as a primary need or an additional need remains unclear.
• The majority of children and young people receiving SLT did not have statements of special educational needs.
• There were 333 practicing Speech & Language Therapists in NI, of which 186.71 WTE work with children/young people within the 14 HSS Trusts providing SLT Services.
• 64% of Trusts identified a lack of resources/SLTs as a gap in service provision that needs to be addressed.
• Speech and Language Therapy Assistants existed in 86% (12) of Trusts, however the total WTE was only 24.95 across Trusts.
• There was inequity between Trusts in relation to the employment of speech and language therapy assistants.
• 36% (5) of Trusts specifically highlighted that an increase in the numbers of SLT assistants was required.
• The number of informal complaints could not be accurately estimated.
• The total number of formal complaints received by Trusts (excluding Royal Group of Hospitals) between 2002 and December 2004 was 101.
• The number of children/young people awaiting assessment for SLT across Trusts was 2,488.
• There was clear inequity between Trusts in relation to the length of waiting times for speech and language assessment.
• There was clear inequity in relation to waiting times from date of referral to first therapy appointment. Where a child/young person lives in NI determines the length of the wait for SLT.
• Only 21% (3) of Trusts had waiting times of three months and below.
• When asked about gaps in assessment and provision and any further comments they would like to add, a range of concerns were identified by the Trusts.
  

Conclusions

• Given that this report was a brief overview of existing demand for, and provision of, SLT, a more formal or in-depth analysis or research into the issues highlighted would provide a more comprehensive and informative picture. However, even within this review, NICCY has presented a range of issues of concern that must be addressed as a matter of urgency. It was recommended that the DHSSPS, the Department of Education and relevant Trusts/Boards review the information presented in this report and put into place an immediate remedial action plan.