Key points
- Technology has changed the landscape for communication. We now have access to a range of platforms, that can be used to support effective communication
- When access to technology is required to support communication, it becomes a duty of care issue
- Technology can be time-saving, cost-effective and care-enhancing
- Technology has the potential to bring new and innovative transformation to services
Introduction
The impact of technology on speech and language therapy is transforming how we provide services and how service users access those services. Technology can be time-saving, cost-effective and care-enhancing.
Technology has also changed the landscape of communication. It has expanded the nature of how we communicate. Speech and language therapists should consider how technology can be used to reduce the impact of communication disability. The Equality Act (2010), Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the UN Convention of Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2010) all protect individual rights to effective communication. When access to technology is required to support communication it becomes a duty of care issue.
Technology has the potential to bring new and innovative transformation to services.
Speech and language therapists should be proactive in understanding the opportunities and challenging the barriers to integrating technology into their service.
We welcome your feedback on these pages. Email campaigns@rcslt.org.
Influencing stakeholders
Effective integration of technology will require collaboration with a range of stakeholders:
- Information Technology
- Security
- Infection Control
- Information Governance
- Fund holders
- SLTs and service users
Each stakeholder will be have a different standpoint on technology. Everyone’s points and concerns need to be considered and addressed for effective implementation.
The following sources of evidence may be helpful in presenting Speech and Language requirements of technology to the different stakeholders:
- Statistics (e.g. from the National Office of Statistics)
- National Legislation and Guidance, e.g.
- National policies promoting the use and development of technology e.g.
- NHS England ‘Data Saves Lives’
- Department of Health and Social Care A plan for digital health and social care
- NHS England A Digital Framework for Allied Health Professionals
- Digital and data strategy for health and social care in Wales
- Digital health and care strategy (Scotland)
- Digital Strategy Health and Social Care Northern Ireland 2022-2030
General resources
Our local influencing pages provide resources that will help you demonstrate to your local stakeholders how you:
- Deliver their objectives
- Improve outcomes for them
- Improve outcomes for people who benefit from speech and language therapy
- Provide leadership
- Measure outcomes
- Take an evidence-based approach to practice
Campaigning to raise awareness
- The RCSLT’s Giving Voice pages provide tips for demonstrating how speech and language therapy makes a difference to individuals and the broader society across the UK.
- CIT CEN – the Computers in Therapy CEN have produced a comprehensive tool kit which includes; summaries of relevant legislation, advice on overcoming barriers and example forms for requesting funding.
