Background: Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) as a disease and its treatment can have significant effects on speech and swallow function, which are consistently prioritised by survivors as an area of concern. Using the UK Guidelines for Speech and Swallow Rehabilitation in Head and Neck Cancer (2016), we audited GUH SLT services surgical oncology patients (ENT and OMFS) with the addition of staff resource to the Head and Neck Oncology service.
Methods: Using the MDM database, 100 patients (50 ENT-referred and 50 OMFS-referred) were collected, from 2 timepoints, allowing for the increase of 1 additional SLT to the HANO service to Radiotherapy. Demographics such as gender, TNM staging and site of lesion were recorded. Chart audit was completed using present/absent criteria of 11 recommendations listed in the reference Guideline.
Findings: Following the staffing increase, there was an increase in 5 of the 11 recommendations, most significant in the pre-assessment of speech and swallowing.
Conclusion: There was an improvement in SLT service provision to ENT and MaxFax with the addition of staff resource to the Head and Neck Oncology service, highlighting clinical successes but also demonstrating the need for further staffing business plans and more systematic service provision to meet international recommendations.
Karen Malherbe1, Sandra Brandon1
1 Department of Speech & Language Therapy, Galway University Hospital, Galway