10 April 2026
Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a rare language-led dementia that affects language and communication. The RCSLT have been working with partners to raise awareness of the vital role of speech and language therapy in supporting people with the condition ahead of Primary Progressive Aphasia Day today (10 April).
Access to specialist PPA services remains inconsistent, with significant variation in referral pathways and commissioning across the UK. We have been campaigning alongside Aphasia charity Dyscover to call on the Government to include PPA in its list of conditions requiring nationally commissioned services.
Last month (11 March 2026), the RCSLT and Dyscover hosted a parliamentary event in the House of Commons to raise awareness of PPA and the vital role of speech and language therapy with MPs and peers.
Sponsored by Helen Maguire MP, the event brought together people living with PPA, their families and carers, speech and language therapists, clinicians, and parliamentarians. More than 30 individuals affected by PPA attended, sharing first-hand experiences of navigating a system where access to speech and language therapy is often limited or unavailable.
Speeches from Dr Anna Volkmer, Associate Professor and consultant speech and language therapist at University College London, and Rosemary Townsend of Dyscover reinforced a clear message: for those affected by PPA, speech and language therapy is not optional, it is the treatment. The most powerful speeches were from Michael Petley, who has PPA, and Philip Robinson, whose wife Charman, is also living with PPA. They highlighted that however the condition may affect people and their families, with the benefit of speech and language therapy they can still live well and continue to communicate with their loved ones.
Discussions focused on how parliamentarians can support change at both the national and local levels. Our key asks are:
- pressing the Government to commission national speech and language therapy services for people with PPA
- ensuring local memory clinics include speech and language therapists.
The message from attendees was clear: without access to speech and language therapy, people with PPA are left without the care they need. But with the right support, even modest interventions can make a life-changing difference.
RCSLT and Dyscover will continue to work with parliamentarians and partners to push for equitable access to speech and language therapy for everyone who needs it.
