NHS Wales targets severe speech and communication problems

High tech ‘talking technology’, such as that used by Professor Stephen Hawking, is being made available to adults in Wales who suffer from severe speech and communication difficulties.

£1.25m of funding was confirmed by the Welsh Government to cover the equipment costs for two years and the service will be hosted by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and feature a new central hub of expertise provided by the All Wales Electronic and Assistive Technology Service.

Deputy Health Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “The importance of effective communication cannot be underestimated. Communication is vital in maintaining our independence.

“This new service will ensure people with severe speech and communication problems will receive the support they need to support their independence and improve the quality of their lives. “The investment I’m announcing today will allow more staff to be recruited, which will reduce delays and ensure people get the equipment they need. It will also enable the service to purchase specialist equipment designed to meet the needs of the individual.”

The ring-fenced budget will include the employment of more speech therapists, three to work with adults and two to work with children and young people, while there will also be specific service provision for North Wales.

Specialist equipment that individuals will benefit from includes voice output communication aids (VOCA) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, which are designed to give those with speech and language difficulties a ‘voice’ so they can express themselves.

There are an estimated 15,500 people in Wales with severe speech and communication problems.