Speech Pathologists work with people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties. Services are mostly provided from the Speech Pathology Department in the Allied Health building (Tyers St, Hamilton) as well as WDHS inpatients and Aged Care residents throughout the district. We also offer telehealth services.
Speech Pathologists work across a range of areas including difficulties with:
- Speech
- Understanding and using language
- Voice
- Stuttering/fluency
- Autism
- Neurological problems including stroke and head injury
- Reading and writing difficulties
- Swallowing (including paediatric feeding)
Cost:
- There are no charges for services to inpatients or residents of aged care facilities.
- Outpatients pay a small administrative fee for each visit, we also offer concession rates.
- Services to school-aged students may be provided under specific pathways via GP or NDIS. Contact the Speech Pathology department for more information.
Referrals:
Referrals can be made by anyone with the consent of the client or the family via our Allied Health Intake Coordinator.
Outpatients are often referred by their parents, Maternal & Child Health Nurses, Child Carers, Kindergarten Teachers, Paediatricians, Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists and Neurologists. Inpatients and residents of Aged Care Facilities are usually referred by Nursing, Allied Health and Medical staff.
If you are over the age of 65, a referral via My Aged Care is needed.
Links
The Speech Pathology Australia website has a section “Information for the Public” which includes:
- How to find a Speech Pathologist
- Fact sheets
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Information about some funding alternatives
The Better Health Channel is a Victorian Government initiative and has fact sheets on many topics including:
- Stuttering
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Parenting – communicating with children
- Expressive Language Disorders
- Receptive Language Disorders
- Stroke and neurological conditions affection communication and/or swallowing
The Raising Children Network is a parenting resource about raising children from newborns to teens.
WDHS Allied Health Reception on (03) 5551 8351 or email wdhs.intake@wdhs.net
Last updated: 13 June 2023