Speech and language therapy service provision to UK intensive care units: A national survey

BACKGROUND: The role of Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) in intensive care units (ICUs) has become increasingly recognised. This survey was developed in response to concern amongst UK SLTs that service provision was insufficient.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to benchmark and describe UK pre-pandemic SLT ICU service provision. Secondary objectives included: identifying factors which might explain differences in SLT service provision, identifying unmet needs and good practice, and informing recommended SLT staffing levels.

METHODS: An online survey was distributed through UK SLT networks and social media. Quantitative data were reported descriptively, and content analysis was conducted with qualitative data.

RESULTS: Responses were received from 64 hospitals, representing three paediatric services and 61 adult services. Average staffing ratios of 0.03 and 0.01 whole time equivalent (WTE) were reported for these respectively. Most services (77&) received no funding from their ICU for SLT staffing. Few reported an adequate SLT service for communication (12&), swallowing (16&) and tracheostomy weaning interventions (11&). Compliance with national guidance for SLT-led communication and swallowing input for all tracheostomised patients was achieved by 27& of sites.

CONCLUSIONS: Staffing levels at many sites were insufficient to provide a consistent and responsive service. The findings contributed to a recommendation of 0.1 WTE SLT per ICU bed, which was incorporated into Edition 2 of the Guidelines for the Provision of Intensive Care Services. This survey identified barriers and facilitators to providing an adequate SLT service for critically ill patients that may assist service development initiatives and guide further research.