Community speech-language therapy (adults) — Auckland (North and West)

Contact community speech-language therapy services on 09 486 8945 extension 43222.

They are available 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

Te Whare Karaka

9 Karaka Street

Takapuna

Auckland

Waitākere Hospital

55 Lincoln Road

Henderson

Auckland

Hibiscus Coast Community Centre

136 Whangaparaoa Road

Red Beach

Interventions are patient centred and are aimed at working towards patient and carer or whānau needs and goals.

Interventions include:

• providing swallowing and communication assessment, and advice
• rehabilitation programmes aimed at achieving their desired level of independence, social participation and wellbeing within their environment
• supporting patients in finding ways to compensate for and adapt to their changing communication and swallowing status associated with their medical condition, such as progressive neurological disorders.

Community speech-language therapists will see people in community clinics, provide virtual telehealth appointment or visit them in their homes, private hospital or rest home.

Communication and swallowing problems can be caused by lots of health issues including:

• stroke
• brain injury
• degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, and motor-neurone disease
• respiratory conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and recurrent pneumonia
• cancer of the head, neck, throat, and brain.

Common conditions include:

• aphasia — sometimes referred to as dysphasia
• apraxia
• dysarthria
• dysphagia.

You can self-refer to speech-language therapy services. You can also be referred by

• your healthcare provider
• whānau
• other health professionals involved in your care.