26 May 2005

The search is on for the speech and language therapist and assistant of the year

Imagine the frustration of not being able to make yourself understood in a shop or on the phone; the dread of going to school each morning because bullies make fun of your stammer; or the fear every mealtime because you nearly choke when you try to swallow your food.

This is the reality for the estimated 2.5 million people in the UK who need the help of Britain's 10,000 speech and language therapists.

To celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2005, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) has launched its first national search for the speech and language therapist and speech and language therapy assistant of the year.

The RCSLT is asking the users of speech and language therapy services and/or their families to nominate their favourite therapist and assistant. These clients are people affected by communication, eating, drinking and swallowing problems. All have truly benefited from, and in some cases owe their lives to speech and language therapists and assistants.

The College has sent out hundreds of posters to hospital departments and schools across the UK. These provide details of how therapy clients can nominate their therapist or assistant. Nominations praising the caring dedication of these unsung healthcare professionals are already coming in.

The nominations close on 29 July and a panel representing speech and language therapy service users will select the shortlisted finalists.

The winners will receive their awards at a gala event in London on 10 October.

Ends

Notes for editors:

• The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK and has over 12,000 members. It is responsible for setting, promoting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct.
• Speech and language therapy clients include:

o babies with feeding and swallowing difficulties

o children with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, language delay, difficulties in producing sounds, hearing impairment, stammering and autism

o adults with swallowing and/or communication problems after a stroke or because of other conditions such as a head injury, degenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, or head, neck and throat cancer

o adults with stammering problems, learning difficulties, physical disabilities and hearing problems

• The RCSLT has a bank of therapists ready and willing to talk to the media about their work and clients who want to demonstrate the impact that speech and language therapy has made to their lives.
• A copy of the nomination poster is available from www.rcslt.org

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