Service operating at reduced capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Please refer as normal.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – information for children, young people and families
We understand that you might be worried about coronavirus – also known as COVID-19 – particularly if your child has a long-term health condition.
This information leaflet sets out our advice and the action the Trust is taking to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
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We provide evidence based specialist support to children (0-19) with a range of specific speech, language and communication difficulties and those with difficulties swallowing, eating and drinking.
Waiting times
The Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service is experiencing high demand, which means there are long waiting times for appointments. We recognise that this information may be concerning and want you to know we are working actively with Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (Health Commissioners of the service) and the Local Authority on long-term solutions so that children can access support in a more reasonable timescale. This situation has worsened during the Covid19 pandemic when many services were closed down, which has led to longer waiting times.
At present, there are waits of several months for an initial assessment. However those with needs that pose the greatest risk to their health, such as eating and drinking difficulties, are seen much sooner.
For children who meet the threshold for treatment, there is a second wait for treatment to start.
NEW ADVICE LINE NUMBER OPEN!
In response to the restrictions in place due to COVID-19 we have fast-tracked our plans for a Speech and Language Therapy Advice Line - NOW OPEN!!
Are you the parent/carer of a child or young person with speech, language or communication needs and/or eating, drinking and swallowing concerns?
Are you a professional or member of school staff/children’s workforce involved with supporting children and young people with speech language communication needs and/or eating and drinking concerns?
You can contact the Speech and Language Therapy Team for advice, strategies and support.
The phone line is open 24 hours a day and a short message can be left. Qualified Speech and Language Therapists are available to respond to messages on:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 4pm
They will be able to provide advice, information and resources.
The child/ young person you are calling about must be:
- aged 0-18 years (or up to 19 only if in full-time special school education)
- registered with a Birmingham GP or attending a Birmingham School.
BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY TEAM ADVICE LINE NUMBER: 0121 466 6231
Further Information Contact Us
