Chadd, Katie and Chalmers, Sophie and Harrall, Kate and Heelan, Amelia and Kulkarni, Amit and Lambert, Sarah and Moyse, Kathryn and Clunie, Gemma (2024) Impact of the initial COVID-19 response in the UK on speech and language therapy services: a nationwide survey of practice. Journal of Health, Organization and Management, 38 (2). pp. 264-285. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-11-2022-0337
Chadd, Katie and Chalmers, Sophie and Harrall, Kate and Heelan, Amelia and Kulkarni, Amit and Lambert, Sarah and Moyse, Kathryn and Clunie, Gemma (2024) Impact of the initial COVID-19 response in the UK on speech and language therapy services: a nationwide survey of practice. Journal of Health, Organization and Management, 38 (2). pp. 264-285. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-11-2022-0337
Chadd, Katie and Chalmers, Sophie and Harrall, Kate and Heelan, Amelia and Kulkarni, Amit and Lambert, Sarah and Moyse, Kathryn and Clunie, Gemma (2024) Impact of the initial COVID-19 response in the UK on speech and language therapy services: a nationwide survey of practice. Journal of Health, Organization and Management, 38 (2). pp. 264-285. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-11-2022-0337
Abstract
Purpose: Globally “non-urgent” health care services were ceased in response to the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19, until 2021, when restrictions were lifted. In the UK, this included speech and language therapy services. The implications of COVID-19 restrictions have not been explored. This study aimed to examine the impact of the UK’s COVID-19 response on speech and language therapy services. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey of the practice of speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the UK was undertaken. This explored SLTs’ perceptions of the demand for their services at a time when COVID-19 restrictions had been lifted, compared with before the onset of the pandemic. The analysis was completed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings: Respondents were mostly employed by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) or the private sector. Many participants reported that demands on their service had increased compared with before the onset of the pandemic. The need to address the backlog of cases arising from shutdowns was the main reason for this. Contributing factors included staffing issues and redeployment. Service users were consequently waiting longer for NHS therapy. Private therapy providers reported increased demand, which they directly attributed to these NHS challenges. Originality/value: This presents the only focused account of the impact of the national response to COVID-19 on speech and language therapy services in the UK. It has been identified that services continue to face significant challenges, which indicate a two-tier system is emerging. Healthcare system leaders must work with service managers and clinicians to create solutions and prevent the system from being overwhelmed.
Item Type: | Article |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | speech and language therapy, COVID-19, service provision, NHS, redeployment, two-tier |
Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Health Faculty of Science and Health > Health and Social Care, School of |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 05 Feb 2024 17:08 |
Last Modified: | 30 Oct 2024 21:37 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/37704 |
Available files
Filename: Chadd et al Revised Submission- clean.pdf