30 March 2004

Future of ENT services under the spotlight

The future development of ENT services in the UK will come under the spotlight tomorrow (Wednesday, 31st March) when more than 160 specialist speech and language therapists (SLTs) meet in London.

The SLTs will be attending Innovation in speech and language therapy services - A focus on ENT, a one-day conference presented by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and Action On ENT.

RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok said the conference is the first the RCSLT has held in conjunction with the Department of Health Modernisation Agency.

"RCSLT is supporting this conference, as we are keen to demonstrate that SLTs are part of the leading edge in service improvement. The conference provides an excellent platform to show how the development of extended practitioner roles in ENT can add value to the NHS and improve patient care experiences and outcomes," Ms Gadhok said.

Claire Jones, Associate Director - Action On ENT, said, "Working with the RCSLT has provided a wonderful opportunity to examine the role SLTs play in NHS modernisation and particularly in the development of modern patient-centred ENT services."

At the conference, SLTs who have developed extended roles in ENT will give presentations on how their work has impacted on waiting lists reductions; improved patient care and patient satisfaction; and improved job satisfaction and team working.

Keynote speaker Andrew Foster, director of human resources at the DH will discuss workforce modernisation, while Tony Nerula, an ENT consultant who also works for the Modernisation Agency, will discuss the agency's role in facilitating service improvement and re-design.

"The key outcome of the day is to identify an infrastructure to move forward. So this is the beginning of a work programme for all of us. I am confident SLTs will play an active and important role in developing ENT services," Ms Gadhok said.

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 over 11,000 members. Visit www.rcslt.org

The NHS Modernisation Agency launched Action On ENT in 2000 to look at ways of reducing waiting times for ENT patients. Its aim is to work with the NHS to innovate and develop improved methods of service delivery. Visit: www.modern.nhs.uk

For more information contact Claire Jones, Associate Director - Action On ENT, tel: 07879 471 756 or Steven Harulow, publicity RCSLT, tel: 020 7378 3004.

For more information contact Steven Harulow, email: steven.harulow@rcslt.org tel: 020 7378 3004