Marjon secures £50,000 funding to expand Speech and Language Therapy placements

Released: 25.02.21

Following a successful application, Plymouth Marjon University has received a £50,000 grant to enhance its Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Clinic.

The clinic will provide vital placement hours for students studying on the BSc Speech and Language Therapy degree. They will collectively gain up to 150 hours per week of clinical practice.

The funding was issued by Health Education England (HEE), through the Clinical Placement Expansion Programme, which increases undergraduate placement provision within the NHS.

Marjon applied to support the growth of it’s education and training for SLT students. The application was accepted, as it supports student development and creates a safe environment for both students and patients in a Covid-19 world.

SLT Programme Lead, Dr Julia Stewart said: "We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this funding which enables us to further develop our SLT clinic at Marjon.

“The clinic provides additional on-site placement experience for Marjon SLT students under the supervision of highly experienced tutors. It includes work with people with: Parkinson's, dementia and aphasia, and children with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs.”

The first phase will involve telehealth placements, these are online consultations between the speech and language therapist and the patient.

SLT Senior Lecturer and Clinic Manager, Dr Caroline Law added: “Our clinic will provide an additional service to the local community and beyond, while also training our future speech and language therapists.”

As the pandemic eases and restrictions are lifted, Marjon’s SLT clinic will provide face-to-face appointments for both adults and children. It will also be used as a base for research for students, staff and SLT professionals.

For more information on BSc Speech and Language Therapy at Marjon, or to make a clinic referral, contact Dr Caroline Law at claw@marjon.ac.uk.