Speech and Language Therapy – Dysphagia Management Checklist and resources

Introduction

This section includes videos and information regarding Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s Speech and Language Therapy Services including information on referral processes and how to guides.

This includes a short ‘how to’ guide aimed at all Care Home staff who are completing a Dysphagia Management Checklist and coming soon; a Dysphagia Awareness e-learning which has been created by our local Speech and Language Therapists for Care Staff.

Referring to Speech and Language Therapy

All Care Homes in Nottinghamshire can refer directly to Speech and Language Therapy – either via a Single Point of Access or via an email to the Speech and Language Therapy team. All referrals must include a completed Dysphagia Management Checklist. This helps the Speech and Language Therapy team understand what steps you have taken to try and support the resident, which helps them triage your referral as quickly as possible. 

Referral process

If you work in a Care Home in Bassetlaw, Mid Notts (including Newark, Mansfield and Ashfield) and South (including Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe) and need to refer to Speech and Language Therapy: 

You can find copies of the Dysphagia Management Checklist and Speech and Language Therapy referral forms here: Speech and Language Therapy (Adults) | Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust under the ‘information for health professionals’ tab.

It is important that you use the checklist that is relevant to your area – Mid Notts and South or Bassetlaw.   

If you work in a Care Home in Nottingham City: 

If you work in a Nottingham City Care Home, please contact your local Speech and Language Therapy Department for a copy of the Dysphagia Management Checklist and referral form ncp.citycareslts@nhs.net

Dysphagia Management Checklist

Within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, we have a local pathway called the Dysphagia Management Checklist for all Care Home referrals to Speech and Language Therapy.

Staff are asked to complete a Dysphagia Management Checklist when they are concerned that a resident is experiencing difficulties with their eating, drinking or swallowing. This could also be completed as a resident comes to at the Care Home – as a ‘baseline’ assessment. 

This Checklist includes a list of common difficulties that resident might experience when eating, drinking or swallowing, For example, coughing when drinking. The checklist includes specific instructions relating to those difficulties and provides guidance for Care Home staff to complete. 

The checklist also directs Care Home staff when is best to refer to an appropriate service, should the suggestions on the checklist not help the resident with their difficulty. 

This five minute video will guide you through the checklist and how to use it.

Coming Soon – Dysphagia Awareness training