21 December 2004
SLTs say pre-school children are a priority too
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) fears waiting lists for young children in Wales could rise if Welsh Assembly plans to prioritise school children with speech and language difficulties go ahead.While the RCSLT welcomes the Assembly's solutions to overcome speech and language therapy shortages in Wales - including the pooling of health and education resources, with teams of teachers working with speech and language therapists in schools to treat children with difficulties - the College is concerned about the plans to prioritise children with statements of educational need.
RCSLT Chair Professor Sue Roulstone said there was a danger that young children not yet in school would be left without access to a speech and language therapist and the waiting lists for this age group would rise.
"Research shows therapy is effective with younger children and we cannot justify not giving this to pre-school children," Professor Roulstone said.
"The Welsh Assembly Government says it wants to give ALL children and young people a chance to fulfil their potential. However, scarce resources redirected to children in school will concentrate services on six and seven year olds at the expense of pre-schoolers.
"Speech and language therapists in Wales are concerned that the recommendations merely solve the legal problem faced by education authorities to provide therapy to children who have a statement of educational need.
"What will happen to the eight out 10 children needing therapy who do not have a statement? And how will the service cope with the rising demands for statements as parents try to access speech and language therapy through the school route?"
Ends
Notes for editors:
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK and has nearly 12,000 members. It is responsible for setting, promoting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct. Visit: www.rcslt.orgThe RCSLT has a history of working proactively with the Welsh Assembly Government in addressing the shortage of therapists and has recently appointed Dr Alison Stroud, head of speech and language therapy at North Glamorgan NHS Trust, as its new policy officer for Wales.
Professor Sue Roulstone, co-director of the Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, is available for comment, tel: 0117 918 6529
For more information contact Steven Harulow, email: steven.harulow@rcslt.org tel: 020 7378 3004