The Speech Pathology Department aims to provide comprehensive speech pathology services to pre-school childreen (0 to 6 years) and adults with communication and/or swallowing disorders.
Services are provided to inpatients and outpatients of the Western District Health Service as well as to regional hospitals as required. Services are provided to individuals or groups in a range of locations including the Speech Pathology Department, Wards, Community Rehabilitation Service, schools, homes, hostels and kindergartens.
The types of problems managed by the Speech Pathologist may include difficulties with:
- Making speech sounds
- Understanding and using language
- Voice and laryngectomy
- Stuttering
- Autism
- Neurological problems including stroke and head injury
- Hearing
- Learning difficulties
- Eating and drinking
Cost:
- There is no charge for services to inpatients.
- Outpatients pay a small administrative fee for each visit.
- Please note that there is also options for telehealth appointments
Referral
Referrals can be made by anyone with the consent of the client or the family. Appointments can be made directly with the Speech Pathology staff.
Outpatients are often referred by their parents, Maternal & Child Health Nurses, Child Carers, Kindergarten Teachers, Paediatricians, Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists and Neurologists.
Inpatients are usually referred by Nursing and Medical staff. E-referrals and written and verbal referrals are made direct to the Speech Pathology Department.
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
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Parenting – communicating with children
- Expressive Language Disorder
- Receptive Language Disorder
- Stroke
The Raising Children Network is a parenting resource about raising children from newborns to teens.
Contact the WDHS Speech Pathology Department on (03) 5551 8351
Last updated: 12 October 2021