History of RCSLT

The College of Speech Therapists (CST) arose from the amalgamation of the Association of Speech Therapists and British Society of Speech Therapists Society, in 1944.

This new body aimed to:

• Promote the study of speech therapy in the UK
• Seek improvement and maintain a high standard of knowledge
• Unite all members of the profession

In 1945, CST fellows and licentiates were granted application to the Register of Medical Auxiliaries. By 1955 the College had withdrawn from the register and published its own members directory.

King George VI, who received speech and language therapy for his stammer, became the College's first Royal Patron in 1948. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, continued this support after his death in 1952 and become the college's patron in 1959.

In 1990, speech therapists changed their name and title to `speech and language therapists`.

The college was awarded the right call to itself the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists in 1995.

HRH The Countess of Wessex became the current RCSLT patron in 2003 after the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.

Contact the information department for more information on the RCSLT's history