10 December 2007

Speech and language therapists urge parents to comment on children’s services

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is asking parents to share their experiences of, and comments on, local services provided to children with speech language and communication needs.

The RCSLT says parents' contributions are vital to help inform a major review of children's speech and language communication needs.

Led by John Bercow, MP, the review is looking at the national picture of services to children and will recommend to Government by summer 2008 on how to improve those services.

RCSLT Chief Executive Kamini Gadhok says, "The review offers a great opportunity to put children at the centre of the picture.

"It will help influence the local decision makers to decide which services should be provided, so that children will have the support they need.

"John Bercow is travelling across England and talking to as many parents, children and providers of services, including speech and language therapy, so he can to get a full picture of the situation.

"We need as many parents as possible with good or bad experiences of services to let the review team know their opinions."

"They can do this by answering the questions on the review consultation survey. This can be found on the RCSLT website, www.rcslt.org/news/bercow_review

"The closing date for the consultation survey is Friday 18 January 2008."

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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 13,000 members. It is responsible for setting, promoting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct. Visit: www.rcslt.org

John Bercow is the Conservative MP for Buckingham, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Speech and Language Difficulties, vice-president of communication charity Afasic.

Visit the Bercow Review website

For more information contact RCSLT Communications Manager Steven Harulow, tel: 0207 378 3004, or email: Bercow.Review@rcslt.org

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