Some health workers at Health NZ public hospitals and services are planning to strike on Thursday 23 October to 7am on Friday 24 October.
Emergency departments will be open for emergencies only. For more information:
Some health workers at Health NZ public hospitals and services are planning to strike on Thursday 23 October to 7am on Friday 24 October.
Emergency departments will be open for emergencies only. For more information:
The speech-language therapy department at Waikato Hospital provides inpatient and outpatient services for people in the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato region.
To contact the Waikato Hospital speech-language therapy department:
We have inpatient and outpatient speech-language therapy services at Waikato Hospital:
Reception E, Level 2
Meade Clinical Centre
Waikato Hospital
183 Pembroke Street
Hamilton 3204
We have outreach clinics in:
We also provide telehealth services for people in other areas in Waikato.
Speech-language therapy services we provide include:
We help adults with communication or swallowing difficulties due to conditions such as:
stroke
progressive neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, and multiple sclerosis
cancer, or surgery to the head and neck
voice difficulties
dysfluency (stuttering).
We also provide a service to tamariki who:
Aphasia is a difficulty with language. This could include difficulty talking, understanding, reading or writing. Other healthcare providers may refer to aphasia as dysphasia.
Aphasia is most common after a stroke or head injury, but can also be a part of other neurological conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if you are eligible for public speech-language therapy services.
The Stroke Foundation (Australia) has a handbook with information about aphasia:
Download booklets and factsheets — Stroke Foundationexternal link
Information specific to Aotearoa New Zealand written by a Māori speech-language therapist:
Communicating after stroke — The University of Aucklandexternal link
Experience what it is like to have aphasia:
Aphasia simulation — Voice of Hope for Aphasiaexternal link
We require all patients with voice difficulties (except those with Parkinson's disease) to first have an assessment by an ear, nose and throat specialist. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral if required.
Things that are great for your voice:
Reduce strain on your voice by avoiding:
Things to avoid that can irritate your voice:
The Stuttering Treatment and Research Trust (START) provide specialist assessment and therapy for stuttering. This a paid service but there are supportive funding options available.
For more information, visit the START website:
Stuttering Treatment and Research Trustexternal link
If you are unable to access START or other specialist providers, you may be eligible for public services. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral and a speech-language therapist will be in touch to discuss your situation.
The National Stuttering Association (USA) website provides useful information about stuttering and the therapy process.
Understanding Stuttering — National Stuttering Associationexternal link
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder. This means that there is a change in how your speech muscles move. It can be caused by stroke as well as other neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Dysarthria may cause a person's speech to sound:
Dysarthria can be very mild, severe or anywhere in between.
If you are having difficulty being understood, you can try these strategies:
You can also try the following tips to help you to communicate more easily with others:
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder which can occur for many reasons.
Some conditions commonly associated with dysphagia are:
Dysphagia can be very mild, severe, or anywhere in between. If you are losing weight unexpectedly or have recurrent chest infections, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
A person with dysphagia may experience:
Dysphagia can occur without a person knowing, especially in neurological conditions or with nerve damage. In this case, they may not cough or feel anything when food or drink goes down the wrong way.
If your symptoms are mainly to do with your oesophagus (food pipe), this is usually managed by your healthcare provider and the gastroenterology department.
You should expect from speech-language therapy input:
Tips for safe swallowing:
We require all patients with chronic cough or airway disorders to first have an assessment by an ear, nose and throat or respiratory specialist. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral if required.
If your specialist recommends speech-language input for your chronic cough, treatment will focus on:
Your specialist may also recommend medical treatment to target triggers such as reflux, asthma or allergies.
You may also be referred to speech-language therapy for assistance with airway disorders such as paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM) — 'vocal cord dysfunction' — and inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) — 'laryngospasm' — etc.
Always seek urgent medical help if you are experiencing severe difficulties breathing.
The therapy process is similar to those who experience chronic cough. You can begin practising 'rescue breaths' while awaiting further speech-language therapy input.
Rescue breaths is a technique designed to encourage upper airway relaxation to help you breathe. It is important to practice the technique when you have no symptoms so that you are familiar with it. This can then be used in the event of throat tightness and difficulty breathing.
Start with fast sniffs/blows and slow down gradually over time as your breathing settles.
With practice, you will be able to use this technique in any position, not just when sitting down. You should find your symptoms settle more readily when you have perfected the technique, so practice it often until it becomes familiar to you.
You may choose to have gender affirming services with a speech-language therapist. This can involve working on your voice and overall communication.
Communication coaching can explore the ways that your voice and communication can represent you and how you express yourself in different settings.
The speech-language therapist will also talk to you about vocal health, which is important for anyone using their voice in new ways.
The following are some of the things you may choose to work on with a speech-language therapist:
It can take some time to find a voice that you connect with and you feel expresses who you are. A speech-language therapist can help to give you the tools to communicate in a way that feels authentic.
Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA)external link
Gender Minorities Aotearoaexternal link
World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)external link
You may be eligible for WINZ funding towards private speech-language therapy services. This will not affect your eligibility for publicly funded services. For further information, visit the Gender Minorities website.
Transgender voice therapy — Gender Minorities Aotearoaexternal link
There is detailed information about how communication and swallowing can be affected in Parkinson's on the Parkinson's Foundation website.
Speech and swallowing in Parkinson's — Parkinson's Foundationexternal link
In the Waikato, speech-language therapists currently provide sessions of loud voice therapy targeting improved voice volume and clarity.
You do not require a speech-language therapy assessment to trial a SpeechVive Device for your communication. If you are interested in learning more about the SpeechVive device, visit their website.
Speech aid for Parkinson's patients — SpeechViveexternal link
Enquiries about funding options for SpeechVive can be directed to the local suppliers Medix21.
SpeechVive — Medix21external link
We accept referrals from most healthcare providers. If you are experiencing any swallowing or communication difficulties, ask your healthcare provider for a referral.
Accessing private speech-language therapy does not affect your eligibility for public services. We recommend you look for a therapist registered with the New Zealand Speech-language Therapist' Association.
Find a Therapist — New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Associationexternal link