Speak Out December low res draft 2017

Sharing communication access

to enable expressive verbal communication. Until this time she relied on a range of assistive communication tools e.g. iPad with touch to speak aps and key word signing plus developed buccal speech which helped family/ regular communication partners interpret Ruby’s messages. Ruby and her family have had a stressful year as Ruby accessed necessary treatment and therapy at PMH. She has very regular reviews with a Speech Pathologist and the ENT team to plan for safe decannulation of her tracheostomy. When Ruby’s parents reflected on the role Speech Pathologists have had in Ruby’s recovery they commented SP involvement was vital in helping support the family in between medical treatments and surgery. Ruby’s mother explained the reassurance and next step information provided by the Speech Pathologists they worked with, were vital in supporting Ruby and her family regain some control during difficult times. Ruby is now participating with her peers at school. They didn’t realise that speech pathologist’s assisted children with swallowing, tracheostomy’s and voice until Ruby was diagnosed and wanted to help educate others of the diverse role speech pathology has for patients like Ruby.” It is sometimes difficult to properly highlight the role Speech Pathologists have in rehabilitation. We found sharing specific patient journeys a nice way to draw attention to our important work. Princess Margaret Hospital

To celebrate Speech Pathology Week 2017, the Speech Pathologists at Princess Margaret Hospital documented patient journeys to share with staff and patients. This gave us the opportunity to reflect on the role SPs have whilst a child is in an acute setting, transitions to outpatient services and back into their community. It also allowed us to hear how our families had been influenced by the work of SPs and where our work had been most important to them. Ruby’s story highlighted the work we play in intervention as well as education to families: “Ruby is an almost 6 year old girl who has been accessing speech pathology services since her diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer in October 2016. In December 2016 Ruby had a total thyroidectomy, tracheal reconstruction and required the formation of a tracheostomy. She has had significant difficulties swallowing and achieving voice to communicate. Ruby had regular speech pathology input for assessment and management of her swallow safety. Ruby also recently had a full laryngeal reconstruction and her swallow has improved to the point that she can safely have normal food and drink again (8months of having nasogastric tube feeding for nutrition and hydration). She continues to have a tracheostomy and now that her vocal cords are cancer free and have been surgically repaired she is able to tolerate a speaking valve

WA

WA 919 members

as at October 2017

Welcome to the profession event

ACT/ New south wales

Puttanna Mahananda, Mary Woodward, Andrea Vine, Lisa Forbes, Fiona Eastley, Bianca Lyons

ACT 82 NSW 2535 members as at October 2017

practice, working overseas and how to maintain skills across areas of practice. We were happy to hear that nearly all students and staff were already members of Speech Pathology Australia. A big thank you to Wendy Pearce from ACU and our student representative Bianca Lyons for organising the event.

On Thursday 9 November five members from ACT/ NSW Branch attended a welcome to the profession event for final ACU, North Sydney students. Branch members discussed their experiences as a speech pathologist and gave advice to the future graduates. There was a Q & A session with questions ranging from working in private

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December 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out