What we do

Some cancers or cancer treatments can affect your ability to speak, eat, drink or swallow.  

We assess, diagnose and treat speech, voice (including laryngectomy) and swallowing disorders referred from consultants within the Trust.

We offer inpatient and outpatient services. We work jointly in Ear Nose and Throat and head and neck oncology clinics, as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

 We offer second opinions on head and neck cancer speech therapy cases, acute and late effects of treatment. We also have a service level agreement enabling   access to us if you are a private patient attending The Christie Clinic.

Swallowing - After assessing how you swallow, speech and language therapists are able to offer advice and practical help with your particular swallowing difficulties.  We may also arrange for further, more detailed assessment , such as a videoswallow xray or a Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) if required. 

If you are attending for radiotherapy to the head and neck area, we may give you exercises for your mouth, jaw and larynx to maintain your eating and drinking as well as you can during treatment.

Communication - Some people may find it more difficult to communicate as a result of their cancer or cancer treatment. For example, speech may sound unclear, or the voice may sound weak or hoarse.

A speech and language therapist can offer you education and advice on voice use, and help you find the best ways to communicate.