Waiting and Access in Therapy - Understanding Perspectives in SLT (#WaitUpSLT)

Introduction In March 2026, NHS England published new guidance on waiting times for community health services ( https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/community-health-services-waiting-times/ ). For those working in - or waiting for - speech and language therapy (SLT), these documents are important. They signal a shift in how community services are being viewed, measured, and prioritised nationally. In this post, I’ll explain what the guidance says, why it matters, and what it might mean in practice. A big shift: community services are finally in the spotlight One of the most significant aspects of this guidance is simple: Community health services now have a national waiting time ambition. Specifically: The NHS is aiming for 78% of waits to be under 18 weeks by the end of 2026/27 Increasing to 80% by 2028/29  If that sounds familiar, it’s because the 18-week standard has been used for a long time in hospital (elective) care. ...

An essential dimension of doctoral study is the involvement and input of supervisors. This blog post discusses the nature and purpose of doctoral supervision, and introduces the supervisors involved in the WAIT-UP SLT project. What is doctoral supervision? Guarimata-Salinas et al. (2024) define a doctoral supervisor as: "t he person who accompanies the doctoral candidate throughout the thesis development process , taking an active role and fulfilling the following functions: they oversee and provides general direction to the doctoral candidate’s research process , ensuring that thesis objectives are met and maintaining work quality. They offer guidance and leadership during thesis development, ensuring adherence to guidelines and desired outcomes. Additionally, they provide advice and support in research design and execution, ensuring the doctoral candidate stays on track. They also take a leadership and motivational role, inspiring progress and ensuring efficient resources and t...

Today the Government has been celebrating significant reduction in waiting lists, with ' waiting lists in 20 areas falling three times faster than the national average '.  But behind the headlines lies an uncomfortable question: Who is being counted? And who is being left out? The 'Further Faster 20' programme sits within the Government's elective reform plan which ' covers a broad range of planned, non-emergency services including tests, scans, outpatient appointments, surgery and cancer treatment '.  Siva Anandaciva, Director of Policy, Events and Partnerships at The King's Fund has said : "It is a good thing that waiting lists in parts of England are coming down. But the reality check is that the overall hospital waiting list in England stood at 7.5 million last year and has only fractionally fallen to 7.4 million despite a full year of funding, energy and focus from the government and NHS. While progress is happening, it is slow going and the go...

In the last blog post, I talked about what to do whilst waiting for speech and language therapy for your child . I hope that the recommended strategies and supports will be useful but you may feel that they are an inadequate replacement for specialist speech and language therapy, personalised to your child.  You’re not alone. In England, long waits for community health services - including speech and language therapy - are an ongoing source of concern for parents and professionals alike. So, here is a guide to some steps you can take if you’re unhappy about the wait: how to advocate for your child, where to go for support, and how to raise your voice to push for change. 1. Start by Understanding the System You’re Navigating Children’s SLT in England is usually delivered by local NHS community health trusts, commissioned by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Waiting times vary hugely by area and are affected by: Numbers of referrals Vacancies and/or posts not being replaced once therapi...

If your child has been referred for speech and language therapy, you might be feeling a mix of relief, hope, and maybe some frustration. Waiting can feel like an endless and uncertain process, especially when you are worried about your child.  You might already have access to information and support during the wait, but if not, here are some ideas that might help: 1. Stay connected with your Speech and Language Therapy service If you've been referred to your local NHS community speech and language therapy service, you can contact them directly to: Check that your child's referral has been received Ask about current waiting times Find out whether they offer any drop-in sessions or workshops for families on the waiting list for support. Many services share useful advice and strategies on their websites, so it's worth exploring online. If you are considering private speech and language therapy support, you can find guidance about what to consider when choosing a therapist and ...

  Earlier this year, the UK government committed to developing an action plan to address long ‐ standing concerns about the availability of speech and language therapy. As a community we were hopeful that families and professionals had finally been heard and that change was coming. But as the months have passed, the promised plan still hasn’t materialised. The background Speech and language therapy has long been considered a ‘postcode lottery’, with too many people unable to access timely and effective support. Even before the pandemic, only 15% of respondents to a 2018 survey by I CAN and RCSLT felt that SLT was available for children and young people as required. Although the issues are longstanding, the situation has been further exacerbated by the pandemic, with services disrupted by staff sickness, difficulties accessing children and families and staff redeployment. Already recognised pre-pandemic as a shortage profession , SLT service managers have reported ...