Amy Endacott, Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Q. Can you tell us about your speciality and team?
A: I’m a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) specialising in the management of adults with long–term ventilation needs. This is a developing area of practice for SLTs and I’m passionate about demonstrating the real value we can bring to this complex patient group.
I am one of three SLT’s working across our onsite long-term ventilation centre, and am fortunate to be embedded in a specialist multidisciplinary team where SLT is highly valued. This facilitates exciting interdisciplinary working, and allows us to be at the forefront of optimising outcomes for our patients.
Q: What is your background?
A: I’ve previously worked with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders in a range of settings, but most of my career has been focussed on complex neurology in acute or rehabilitation environments.
Q: What are your particular clinical interests?
A: My clinical specialism is severe brain injury and progressive neurological conditions, and I enjoy the breadth of my role. I’m particularly interested in aphasia and cognitive-communication disorder rehabilitation, alternative and augmented communication (AAC), assessing mental capacity, and instrumental assessment.
I also enjoy the challenges of complex dysphagia management, including optimising functional outcomes for patients with tracheostomies or ventilator dependence. I’m also involved in developing our service to improve interdisciplinary working, to ensure SLT, physiotherapy, and the wider ventilation team manage patient’s ventilation, swallowing, and communication needs in parallel to work towards functional goals around oral intake or communication.
“It is clear to see the positive difference SLT can make to communication and swallowing outcomes for this population, helping patients achieve goals that may once have seemed out of reach”
Q: What drives your work?
A: Through my work in this service I’ve seen the tangible change that SLT input can have on communication and swallowing outcomes for patients with long–term ventilation needs. By integrating SLT within the multidisciplinary team we can help patients achieve goals that may once have seemed out of reach. The moment someone is able to use their voice and interact with their family, or taste a flavour they’ve not experienced for months (or years) never gets old!