University Tackling UK-wide Shortage of Speech and Language Therapists

A new master’s degree in Lincolnshire welcomed its first group of speech and language therapy students this academic year, with the aim of transforming the region’s retention of – and access to – therapists in the field.

The MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration) at the University of Lincoln, UK, is currently the only available programme of its kind in the East Midlands. It was established to simultaneously increase the number of therapists in the region, as well as provide better access to speech and language therapists for those in need.

Speech and language therapists work with people who have difficulty speaking, communicating, eating and swallowing. Their services cover a range of clinical and non-clinical settings, including emerging clinical fields such as neo-natal and respiratory medicine, criminal justice, mental health and palliative care.

The landmark cohort started their studies in January 2023, and will go on to graduate in January 2025 and after graduating, will be looking to work in some of Lincolnshire’s local services to support people and families in need.

Mary Heritage, Programme Leader for MSc Speech and Language Therapy at Lincoln, said: “This is a very exciting time for our profession in Lincolnshire. The needs of people experiencing these issues often go unrecognised, due to the communication difficulties they experience, and our profession is committed to giving them a voice.

“Prior to our MSc, there was nowhere within this part of the country where people could train as a speech and language therapist. Local health and education services have struggled to provide services due to difficulties in recruiting scarce speech and language therapists. A recent report by the Royal College of Speech and Language therapists highlighted that at least 23% of speech and language therapy positions across the UK are currently vacant. 

“Lincolnshire providers have faced challenges for many years to fill their posts. As the need for speech and language therapy has increased, the NHS has faced significant challenges in filling posts to support young children, schools, mental health services, people with learning disabilities, stroke, dementia, neurological conditions and cancers.

“To meet the needs of our local communities, it’s vital to train our own therapists. The MSc Speech and Language Therapy joins the University’s portfolio of healthcare programmes including medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, paramedics, and social workers to train the next generation of health and social care workforce.”

The MSc is also accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, meaning the planned design of the course curriculum meets the gold standard for pre-registration speech and language therapy programmes.

You can find out more about the MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration) online: www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/splathms.

ENDS