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Speech and Language Therapy

Swallowing self-management resources for care homes in North Somerset or Bristol within the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust or North Bristol NHS Trust catchment area

Welcome to our self-management resources

Always remember when using these resources

  • Please do not thicken drinks without Speech and Language Therapy support.
  • Please do not upgrade residents diet without Speech and Language Therapy support.
  • Do not use with patients who have a learning disability.
  • Do not use this resource if a resident is currently active with Speech and Language Therapy.
  • Do not use this resource if a resident has a known neurological condition that progresses rapidly, for example Motor Neurone Disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy or Multiple System Atrophy.

Welcome to our (Dysphagia) Swallowing self-management resources.

These resources are for people living in care homes in North Somerset, or Bristol within the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust or North Bristol NHS Trust catchment area, who are having swallowing difficulties. They are not appropriate for people who have a learning disability.

This resource pack is your first point of contact with the Speech and Language Therapy team. You can use this pack without needing to contact our team. It is like a ‘first aid kit’ for swallowing problems.

How to use this resource pack

  1. Download or print the Speech and Language Therapy initial questionnaire. Read the instructions on the front page and write the answers to the questions. If you have downloaded it, make sure you save the completed copy as it contains the required actions.
  2. Actions are provided for any questions that you answer ‘Yes’ to.
  3. Throughout the document you will be directed to various forms. Some of them are forms to be completed that will guide you further. Some of them are information documents.
  4. Once you have completed the process, fill in the Care Home Swallow Care Plan. If you have managed the issue without needing further Speech and Language Therapy support, ensure the plan is kept in the patient’s record. This provides evidence for CQC inspections and serves as a summary of swallow management, for example during patient handovers or on hospital admission. If further support is required, complete the Care Home Swallow Care Plan and email it to the relevant Speech and Language Therapy service. The document is available in the resource list below.

Completing the initial questionnaire will ensure that nothing is missed, so it is very important you always start with this document.

The information given in this pack will guide you in making safe and appropriate management decisions for your resident. You can keep the information in the resident’s file to show your reasons for making any changes.

If the suggestions in this pack do not resolve the issues for your resident, you are welcome to contact us via sirona.SLTcarehomesadvice@nhs.net. You do not need to complete a referral form however please complete the Care Home Swallow Care Plan to ensure we have enough information to help you quickly. Further advice or a visit will be arranged with you. This documents is available in the resource list below.

If your resident has communication-only needs, please refer using the usual referral form. 

Download our initial questionnaire
Home health care worker and an elderly man.
Download our initial questionnaire

How-to videos

Completing the initial questionnaire:

Please note that since the recording of this video, the service is now for both care homes in North Somerset and those within the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and North Bristol NHS Trust area. There have been updates to the process which are summarised below:

  • No passwords are required
  • Hyperlinks have been removed, please find all resources in the resource library.
  • Contact form has been replaced with the ‘Care Home Swallow Care Plan’. Please complete this after completing the self management process.

Completing the swallowing food diary:

Completing the swallowing drinks diary: