How to find a speech and language therapist

If you think you or your child or relative needs to see a speech and language therapist ask your GP, district nurse, health visitor, or your child's nursery staff or teacher for a referral.

You can also refer yourself to your local speech and language therapy service. You do not have to wait for someone else to refer you.

Ring your primary care trust (PCT) and ask for the telephone number of your local NHS speech and language therapy service. Use your local phone book, online directory or ask at your GP's surgery to find the number of your local PCT.

What happens next?

This varies across the UK, because services are organised in different ways and in some places, demand for services is very high.

In some areas, first contact will lead directly to an appointment with a speech and language therapist. In others there may be a significant wait for a first appointment.

Some areas operate a system where first referrals are sorted before appointments are made. If this system operates in your area, a speech and language therapist or assistant may talk to by phone at the time you first make contact to find out more about your situation. At this stage ask what will happen next and how long you may have to wait for an appointment.

If you think you have been asked to wait too long for a first appointment or for treatment following the first appointment, contact the speech and language therapy department to ask what has happened. If you still experience difficulty, contact your PCT to discuss the situation.

You can pay for independent (private) speech and language therapy services. Contact the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice to find your local independent therapists.