Speech therapy jobs 'help save NHS millions'
Monday 6th December 2010
Speech therapy jobs have helped to save the NHS and UK economy millions of pounds, according to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Therapy for stroke survivors alone saves the NHS an estimated £13.3 million in costs for further treatment for those that struggle with swallowing.
The overall net benefit to the UK economy of speech and language therapy is around £765 million, the body indicates, although is concerned that many therapists are being asked to reduce the scope of their services.
A study carried out by Matrix also found that the return for the NHS is equal to £2.30 for every £1.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists chief executive, Kamini Gadhok, said: "It will highlight the value of speech and language therapy for hundreds of thousands of individuals each year, as well as the overall benefit to the taxpayer.
"We will also work with commissioners, including local authorities, to help them make the right investment decisions when it comes to supporting the needs of their local population."
Earlier this week, in an article for the Guardian newspaper, University of Oxford professor of development of neuropsychology Dorothy Bishop claimed that speech therapists need more respect.
She indicated that specific language impairment recognition is being impaired by a lack of recognition for these practitioners.
Written by Angela Newbury
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