Speech pathology

Our ​​Speech Pathology team provides specialist assessment and management of babies, children and adults with communication and swallowing problems.

We collaborate with our patients and the multi-disciplinary team to achieve patient-centred goals and facilitate complex discharge planning. 

Communication problems can include: 

• slurred speech
• difficulty understanding
• difficulty speaking
• difficulty reading and writing. 

Swallowing problems can include: 

• coughing when eating and drinking
• food getting stuck in your throat
• difficulty chewing. 

You may benefit from seeing a speech pathologist if you are living with:

• progressive neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease (MND), Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) or dementia
• stroke-related communication or swallowing issues
• chronic illnesses or disabilities affecting speech, language or swallowing. 

Speech pathology is also available as part of our Rehabilitation service. We also provide services under the National Disabilities Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

Adult inpatients 

Our services are available across all inpatient units, including but not limited to: 

 Acute services: 

• stroke/neurology
• general medicine 
• acute aged care
• intensive care
• respiratory medicine
• head and neck.  

Subacute services: 

• inpatient rehabilitation
• geriatric evaluation and management (GEM)
• Dementia Management Unit 
• Specialised Rehabilitation Program (SRP)
• Transition Care Program (TCP). 

Adult outpatients 

Dysphagia Clinic 

The Speech Pathology Department operates an outpatient Dysphagia Clinic at Sunshine Hospital for people with swallowing disorders (dysphagia). Through this clinic, clients have access to instrumental assessments (videofluoroscopy) to investigate and/or guide management of their swallowing difficulty. 

All health professionals can refer to the Dysphagia Clinic. Referrals will only be accepted for clients who meet the clinic's referral criteria and live within the Western Health catchment area.

Referrers are encouraged to use the Dysphagia Clinic Referral Form.​ 

If referrers prefer not to use the Referral Form, written referrals will be accepted. Written referrals must include the following mandatory information: 

• client's full name, address and contact phone number
• referrer's full name, place of work and contact phone number
• reason for referral and any relevant clinical information (e.g. medical history)
• written videofluoroscopy approval from a medical practitioner. 

 All referrals must be faxed to (03) 8345 6856 (Western Health Referral Management Centre) or emailed to [email protected]. 

 Appointments will be prioritised based on clinical urgency. 

For any enquiries, please contact the Speech Pathology Department on 0403 082 239 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

Voice/Head and Neck 

Speech Pathology provides outpatient services at Footscray Hospital for patients referred from the Western Health ENT Clinic and Head and Neck Clinic. 

For any enquiries, please contact the Speech Pathology Department on (03) 8345 6496 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

Radiotherapy 

Speech Pathology provides a service to patients attending the Sunshine Hospital Radiation Therapy Centre. 

For any enquiries, please contact the Speech Pathology Department on 0481 478 348 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

Specialised Rehabilitation Program (SRP) 

Speech Pathology provides rehabilitation services for adults via SRP at Sunshine and Williamstown Hospitals.  

For more information, visit the SRP page. 

For any enquiries, please contact SRP on (03) 8345 1283 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

Paediatrics 

Speech Pathology is based within the Paediatric Allied Health Service at the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's, Sunshine Hospital. The team's vision is to empower parents and support babies and young children with developmental challenges. 

Speech Pathologists offer multi-disciplinary assessment and therapy to preschool children (0-3 years) with difficulties in communication and/or feeding development. The team delivers services across inpatient and outpatient settings, including a number of specialist clinics: 

• Paediatric Developmental Clinic
• Newborn Services Clinic 
• Growth and Nutrition Clinic
• Autism Clinic.  

For any enquiries, please contact Women's and Children's Administration on (03) 8345 1727 between 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).