Information for Healthcare Professionals

In this section we include information specific to Speech and Language Therapists.

For information specific to MS Nurses, Social Workers and Care Workers click Here.

For information on funding a communication aid for a client, see Here.

We hope this information is useful and ask you kindly Let Us Know what we can do to improve it.

Speech & Language Therapists

Sali Pettaford – Speech & Language Therapist , Neath, Port Talbot Hospital told us:

“We could not fault the timely, efficient service we received. It also saved spending a lot of time 'begging' for funding from other agencies”

Yes it’s true! Speakeasier will endeavour to fund any communication aid you prescribe for a client with MS. Hopefully that will not only save you time in searching for funding, it will also encourage you to assess your MS clients, with the confidence that Speakeasier will do everything in its power to fund your “prescription”. Not only that, but, because Speakeasier is committed to reducing barriers to the use of speech aids, we do not apply any means tests. Some donors do request some financial information about our clients, but this information will never lead to a refusal to fund an aid.

Since inception in 2001, we have helped nearly 200 people with MS across the UK by funding a variety of speech aids including Toby Churchill Lightwriters and Advocates, Possum speech aids and amplifiers plus an assortment of other aids prescribed by their Speech & Language Therapists.

All we ask is that you phone us on 01242 705681 to confirm our current funding situation. We will send you an application form for you to complete, sign and post back to us. Speakeasier will only fund a communication aid once an Application Form signed by a Registered Speech & Language Therapist has been received.

Also, we are only too aware of resistance to communication aids and also cognitive deterioration which might make them difficult to learn to use. The danger then, as you will know, is that when a client actually loses communication, it is possibly too late. If you can possibly persuade them to learn to use an aid before they actually need it, whilst they are relatively fit, it would be a valuable skill which may pay dividends later. Loan Equipment is available, simply call us to request a loan equipment agreement form for you to complete, sign and post back to us.

Other Comments from your colleagues

Helen Brinkworth, Specialist SLT, Milford Hospital, Surrey:

"I have been most impressed with your advice and help throughout this funding process. It was a pleasure to work alongside you to obtain funding for the communication aid".

Caroline Adams, SLT, North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple:

"Speakeasier enabled us to free up a Lightwriter for another patient. I am happy to say that they were straightforward to deal with and fulfilled their promises."

Debbie Begant, SLT, Neurology, Wrexham Park Hospital:

"The funding was organised promptly and Speakeasier were obviously committed to working in partnership with the Speech & Language Therapist involved".

Dee Coleman, Specialist SLT:

"We were struggling to find a source of funding for the Lightwriter so your organisation has proved invaluable".