Telehealth Implementation within the Paediatric Speech Therapy Outpatient Service

The implementation of telehealth into the paediatric speech therapy outpatient service was initiated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, especially during level 5 and 4 lock down, patients were not able to access outpatient services. As restrictions were eased, it was evident that attending multiple appointments further added to the financial burden being faced by families as well as increasing their risk of exposure to COVID 19. As a result of these factors the innovation within the paediatric speech outpatient service through telehealth ensured that all patients still had access and were receiving speech therapy services, in accordance with patients’ right to therapy. Patients were provided with speech, language and feeding intervention in the comfort of their homes. This ensured that all patients are receiving the intervention that they have the right to receive, which is crucial, especially with Early Childhood (ECI) Intervention, which is a priority throughout all paediatric speech services. The reason being that ECI provides the opportunities for future success if intervention strategies are implemented from a young age. Essentially, it improves their overall outcomes.

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