Launch of IASLT Position Statement on the Role of Speech and Language Therapy in Specialist Palliative Care - 5th March 2025

IASLT are delighted to announce the latest IASLT publication:

“IASLT Position Statement on the Role of Speech and Language Therapy in Specialist Palliative Care”

SLTs uniquely understand speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. This perspective is imperative when providing person-centred optimisation of function, comfort and quality of life for the person who presents with a life limiting illness (Silva et al, 2017). This position paper aims to outline the role and benefits of SLT in specialist palliative care in Ireland, identify the current challenges and make recommendations for future developments within the field. 

IASLT plan to engage with the clinical lead on National Adult Palliative Care Programme regarding the need for SLT to included in community palliative care teams to ensure quality, ease, safe and integrated transitions of care for service users.

This paper has been written on behalf of IASLT by a working group of SLTs with specialist knowledge in this area. IASLT would like to extend thanks to our members Claire Parkes and Candice Kelly, for their extensive contribution in the development of this position statement.

Overview of Launch Event:

Agenda

• Introduction and Context: Candice Kelly will provide an introduction into SLT in specialist palliative care and discuss the context of SPC services in ROI, examining challenges and opportunities;
• Role of SLT and benefits of SLT in SPC: Claire Parkes will outline the key roles and benefits of SLT in SPC;
• Recommendations: Claire will outline 4 key recommendations to develop SLT services in SPC in ROI;
• Panel Discussion.

You may submit your questions at registration but there will also be the opportunity to ask questions after the session.

Who Should Attend?

• SLTs working in Specialist Palliative Care as well as those with an interest in learning more about Specialist Palliative Care.
• Medical, Nursing and Health and Social Care Professionals working in Specialist Palliative Care.

Speakers:

Claire Parkes, BSc Hons Speech and Language Therapy, MSc Palliative Care, Prof Dip Clinical Leadership.

Before joining Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services in 2022, Claire had over 26 years’ experience working as a speech and language therapist in acute care. She has experience working with complex medical, acquired and progressive neurological conditions. For 9 years Claire worked as a Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Radiation Oncology in the St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology network at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin. Claire completed an Msc in Palliative Care with Trinity College Dublin in 2012. She was the Speech and Language Therapy discipline lead on the Palliative Care Competence Framework, published in 2014, and was an author on the European White Paper: oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer (2020). Claire has taught on both the undergraduate and postgraduate Clinical Speech and Language Studies course in Trinity College since 2014.  Claire is now Speech and Language Therapist Manager in Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services, Harold’s Cross, Blackrock and Wicklow.

Candice Kelly Bsc Speech-Language Pathology (hons)

With over 19 years of clinical experience, Candice joined St Brigid’s Hospice in 2019 as Senior Speech & Language Therapist. Prior to this, Candice gained extensive experience, particularly in stroke rehabilitation and management of complex progressive neurological conditions both in inpatient and community settings. Candice completed the European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care in 2022 and has a special interest in palliative rehabilitation and ethics in medical management.