Skip to content
Close

No results could be found

Recommended

Services

Pages

Leaflets

Speech and Language Therapy for adults

We help adults with communication and swallowing problems.

Contact us

0300 123 0785
kentchft.aslt@nhs.net

Please complete our Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy Service referral form or you can be referred by a GP or healthcare professional.

See a list of our clinic locations below. Please use the phone numbers above when needing to contact the service. The numbers for the locations are reception numbers and not for our service.

Who we are

We are speech and language therapists (SLTs) and SLT assistants who specialise in assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders using one-to-one or group therapy, carer support and advice. Our clients can have a range of long-term conditions including Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia and Huntington’s disease. Please contact us if you would like to discuss a referral to our service.

What we do

We work in community clinics, hospitals, private homes and nursing and residential homes to assess, diagnose and help patients manage a variety of communication and swallowing disorders.

We specialise in acquired neurological disorders, older adult mental health, voice, head and neck oncology, dysphagia (swallowing disorders) and stammering.

Who we help

We help adults with:

  • Aphasia: Difficulty finding words and making sentences or understanding what people say
  • Dysarthria: Slurred or unclear speech.
  • Dysphagia: Trouble swallowing
  • Voice problems – a change in how your voice sounds or your throat feels, e.g. hoarse voice.
  • Stammering – speech characterised by repetitions.

These difficulties may be due to conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, Huntington’s disease, muscle tension dysphonia.

We work in:

  • clinics
  • community hospitals
  • patient’s homes
  • care homes.

Who we cannot help

We cannot usually help people when the problem is due to:

  • oesophageal stage swallowing difficulties
  • difficulty swallowing tablets
  • hearing problems
  • autism related communication issues
  • Bell’s Palsy
  • developmental communication difficulties (problems since childhood)
  • people with a learning disability - contact the Adult Learning Disability Team on 0300 123 4195 or kentchft.ldsref@nhs.net
  • selective mutism.

How do you use this service?

You can refer yourself, ask a doctor or anyone else involved in your care to refer you.

Please complete our Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy Service referral form to refer yourself.

Your referral will be triaged by a therapist and we will let you know if it has been accepted and added to our waiting list.

Waiting times

Waiting times can vary depending on the type of problem. We aim to see everyone within 12 weeks, although this may take longer.

What to do while you wait

What happens at your appointment?

  • Communication: We will ask about your speaking or understanding and then agree a plan for the next step, which may be advice, more assessment or to be put on the waiting list for therapy. We can give you information about other services that could help. Sessions generally last about 45 minutes. You are welcome to bring somebody with you.
  • Stammering: We will arrange an initial appointment which will last around 45 to 60 minutes. During this we will ask you about your stammer and the things that affect it. We will identify your reasons for wanting speech therapy and will discuss next steps, which will likely include further assessment and therapy. You will also be directed to other helpful resources.
  • Swallowing: we will ask about your swallowing difficulties. This will take generally around 45 to 60 minutes. We will give you recommendations around eating and drinking and explain why you might be having swallowing difficulties. We might ask your doctor to refer you for further tests.
  • Voice: We will take a case history including questions about your voice change and will listen to your voice to complete a perceptual assessment. We may record your voice using expert equipment for further analysis. If required we will book you in for a course of therapy.

Our leaflets

Our locations

Canterbury Health Centre

Dover Health Centre

Family Hub Millmead

Faversham Health Centre

Heathside Centre

Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital

Sevenoaks Hospital

St Stephen’s Health Centre

Tonbridge Community Hospital

Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital

Print this page

Print this page | PDF | Email

100%

Friends and Family test (FFT) question - percentage of positive responses

(Survey feedback from April to June 2025)

Your comments

Previous Next

December 2024
Tonbridge and Malling

Very helpful. The therapist was patient. I understood everything they said and they understood what I'm going through. They explained why my swallowing isn't good and gave some ideas to help. It was a pleasurable experience.

November 2024
Shepway

The therapist was absolutely brilliant, very patient and understanding. Very encouraging.

October 2024
Tonbridge & Malling

The therapist explained so much and taught me all sorts to look out for whilst looking after my dad's coughing and swallowing. They took their time with me and was particularly patient with my dad.

August 2024
Shepway

Therapist is kind, understanding, listens and remembered what had happened a year ago. Just really very pleasant.

May 2024
Ashford

The therapists were very knowledgeable. They clearly explained what I had to do and gave me considered feedback on my performance. I felt I made considerable progress. The online appointments were much easier than having to travel.

April 2024
Coxheath

The therapist was extremely qualified and compassionate and when I asked something that was extra, she said she would follow up with her colleagues in that area. I felt very supported and thankful to have been referred to her.

March 2024
Canterbury

Positive, personal approach, very accommodating of personal situation.

January 2024
Canterbury

Took the time to really listen and gave me information and advice how I could best manage my condition. Also gave me practical exercises and techniques to practice which really helped me.

May 2023
Tonbridge & Malling

The pleasant, easy manner of the therapist and the way she listened, responded to questions. I have confidence in her ability/professional knowledge.

May 2023
Thanet

Meaningful conversation and being listened to, unhurried.

May 2023
Shepway

Having Speech Therapy at home is a more comforting experience as I get very nervous trying to talk to people and them trying to understand what I am saying.

April 2023
Canterbury

Clinician caring, patient and explained the problem well. Plenty of time given to discuss things.

April 2023
Coxheath

I felt that both therapists listened to my explanation of my symptoms and offered me some exercises to help strengthen my voice which I am happy with.

April 2023
Herne Bay

Natalie gave me a complete education in throat problems and for the first time I started to understand how it works. Much good advice and guidance.

March 2023
Sevenoaks

It helped me to articulate my voice and speak louder. Laura was very patient and understanding.

March 2023
Canterbury

The therapist is very caring, open and friendly and extremely patient and understanding. Gives one time to explain yourself.

March 2023
Herne Bay

The speech and language therapist was amazing. She was really friendly and explained everything well.

January 2023
Tonbridge & Malling

Friendly staff, did not hurry time spent with me.

January 2023
Whitstable

I was seen quickly by a very personable young man Jamie who took great care with me. He clearly explained and demonstrated exercises to be done, I have every confidence in him.

January 2023
Canterbury

I made a lot of progress in my speech and self confidence with Michaela over our sessions. She was an excellent coach and very supportive.

December 2022
Thanet

I meet Cath and must say what a lovely lady, explaining what medication did to help a lot of others things, as well as why I need to do exercises.

December 2022
Shepway

Appointment went very well, Emily explained things very good and sent good information.

December 2022
Canterbury

Both therapists were very knowledgeable and able to communicate professionally.

December 2022
Whitstable

Everything explained well.

December 2022
Shepway

Staff member was clear, pleasant and helpful.

June 2022
Ashford

Service was efficient, clinician very knowledgeable and helpful, showed interest and empathy for problems I presented.

June 2022
Canterbury

The member of staff who saw me (Michaela) was very professional. The advice to me, concerning my condition was also appropriate and helpful.

May 2022
Ashford

Emily was very easy to get on with and put me at ease.

April 2022
Canterbury

Adele was very approachable and knowledgeable and put me at ease.

April 2022
Dover

Heike was brilliant! Very knowledgeable and sympathetic.

April 2022
Dover

A very good listener, friendly, patient and made us feel at ease.

March 2022
Thanet

Cath listened to both my wife and myself.

March 2022
Tonbridge & Malling

The therapist was extremely knowledgeable, patient and thorough.

February 2022
Ashford

Caring attitude to the problem.

February 2022
Dover

Appropriate to my needs, courteous and professional.

January 2022
Coxheath

Lauren was patient and helpful. She explained everything.

January 2022
Ashford

Went above and beyond. Excellent service.

January 2022
Sevenoaks

The therapist shared amazing patience, understanding and imagination in giving my husband the opportunity to communicate again after all these years.

#service-comments { content-visibility: hidden; } .pf-primary-img.flex-width.pf-size-medium.blockImage { content-visibility: hidden; } .pf-primary-img.flex-width.pf-size-full.blockImage { content-visibility: hidden; } .page-back-link { content-visibility: hidden; } .download-header { content-visibility: hidden; } .leaflet-header { content-visibility: hidden; } #reciteme-launch { content-visibility: hidden; }