Steve Jamieson, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, visited Northern Ireland on Tuesday. The Southern Health and Social Care Trust's speech and language therapy team hosted him.

Jamieson met frontline clinicians to discuss local services. He visited Sperrinview Special School, where therapists described support for children using alternative communication methods. They covered voice output devices and challenges in adopting new technologies.

Therapists presented work in adult community services, care home support, and rehabilitation assessments. They emphasized multi-disciplinary approaches.

Luke Dowd, a speech and language therapist, discussed his career in a field dominated by women. Heads of service from all five Health and Social Care Trusts joined to address regional opportunities and challenges.

Hilary McFaul, Professional Lead Speech and Language Therapist for the Southern Trust, stated that the team provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and support for speech, language, communication, eating, drinking, and swallowing issues across all ages in hospital and community settings. She noted the visit allowed demonstration of innovative practices to meet rising patient demands. Jamieson urged input on national workforce and service issues.