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Provision of surgical voice restoration in England: questionnaire survey of speech and language therapists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2013

P J Bradley ,
P Counter ,
A Hurren  and
H C Cocks
P J Bradley*
Affiliation:
Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham, UK
P Counter
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK
A Hurren
Affiliation:
Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Sunderland Royal Hospital, UK
H C Cocks
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sunderland Royal Hospital, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Professor Patrick J Bradley, 10 Chartwell Grove, Mapperley Plains, Nottingham NG3 5RD, UK E-mail: pjbradley@zoo.co.uk
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Abstract

Aim:

To conduct a questionnaire survey of speech and language therapists providing and managing surgical voice restoration in England.

Method:

National Health Service Trusts registering more than 10 new laryngeal cancer patients during any one year, from November 2009 to October 2010, were identified, and a list of speech and language therapists compiled. A questionnaire was developed, peer reviewed and revised. The final questionnaire was e-mailed with a covering letter to 82 units.

Results:

Eighty-two questionnaires were distributed and 72 were returned and analysed, giving a response rate of 87.8 per cent. Forty-four per cent (38/59) of the units performed more than 10 laryngectomies per year. An in-hours surgical voice restoration service was provided by speech and language therapists in 45.8 per cent (33/72) and assisted by nurses in 34.7 per cent (25/72). An out of hours service was provided directly by ENT staff in 35.5 per cent (21/59). Eighty-eight per cent (63/72) of units reported less than 10 (emergency) out of hours calls per month.

Conclusion:

Surgical voice restoration service provision varies within and between cancer networks. There is a need for a national management and care protocol, an educational programme for out of hours service providers, and a review of current speech and language therapist staffing levels in England.

Keywords

VoiceLaryngectomySpeech TherapyEnglandHealth ServicesOtorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 8 , August 2013 , pp. 760 - 767
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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