The Language Explorer Study

Investigators: Yvonne Wren, Miriam Seifert, Sam Harding, Lydia Morgan, Jen Chesters, Rebecca Bright, Swapnil Gadgil (Therapy Box), Cristina McKean
(University of Newcastle), Geraldine Bates (Sirona Care)

Funder: NIHR i4i Scheme

We are now in the final year of the Language Explorer study, where we are developing and assessing a new app to semi-automate language transcription and analysis. The app will assist speech and language therapists with clinical decision making for children with developmental language disorder (DLD). 

BSLTRU are leading the clinical evaluation of the app, which has involved coordinating the assessment of children with DLD across clinical sites in Bristol, Hackney in East London, and Newcastle. We are currently using the data from these assessments to compare how children with DLD perform on the Language Explorer app, with data from 600 children with typically developing language collected in an earlier phase of the study.

Our clinical evaluation report will be completed in May 2022.

Exploring access to Speech and Language Therapy for Welsh speaking survivors of stroke

Investigator: Katherine Broomfield & Carys Williams

Funder:Stroke Association, Wales

This project is being funded by the Stroke Association, Wales and being carried out in collaboration with Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU). The aim of the project is to explore the lived experience of people who need speech and language therapy for aphasia following stroke to inform further research and service development.  

Katherine Broomfield (BSLTRU) and Carys Williams (CMU) are recruiting people who have aphasia following stroke and who use Welsh as their language of choice for everyday interactions. They will interview people to find out about their experiences of speech and language therapy (SLT) provision and intervention following stroke in individuals who require provision and intervention in Welsh. 

This project will help to identify barriers and facilitators to receiving support speech and language therapy for aphasia in Welsh following stroke from the reported experience of individuals and their families/carers/communication partner.  

Chin Tuck Against Resistance with Feedback: Swallowing Rehabilitation in Frail Older People (CTAR-SwiFt) - A feasibility study a Research for Patient Benefit 

Investigators: Lydia Morgan, Aoife Stone, David Smithard 

Timescale: September 2021- May 2023

Funder: NIHR Research for Patient Benefit

Swallowing problems are more common in the frail population. Many frail older people admitted to hospital with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) will have aspirated saliva or food (90%).  
If the swallow can be improved by a simple exercise thereby improving nutrition and reducing aspiration, it may be possible CAP, loss of independence, infection and death and hence reduce health care costs will be reduced.

This is a feasibility randomised control study of two types of rehabilitation exercises using Chin Tuck against resistance with feedback (CTAR-SwiFt), using a device called ExerPhager (a rubber ball with pressure gauge, linked to a tablet via Bluetooth) to improve swallowing, eating and drinking.  BSLTRU have with the main study site (Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust) to recruit patients with pneumonia to this study.

Lydia is Principle Investigator for North Bristol Trust as well as the research associate for this study.

Recruitment has closed for thus study and analysis is ongoing.

Maximising the Impact of Speech and Language Therapy for children with Speech Sound Disorders (SSD) (The MISLToe_SSD Study)

To date, the work to develop MISLToe_SSD has been funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) grant. The Chief Investigator for the study was Dr Yvonne Wren. In this study, Yvonne led an international, multidisciplinary team of academics, SLTs and PPI members to work together to establish a Core Outcomes Set (COS) and minimum dataset for children with SSD. This prioritisation and design of this study is informed by our PPI members, who include children and young people with, or who have a history of, SSD, as well as parents of children with SSD.

The work undertaken so far consists of three work streams:

• Firstly, an umbrella review of existing evidence will help us identify a comprehensive list of potential content for the COS and minimum dataset, including outcomes, interventions and assessments for SSD.
• Secondly, SLTs from five NHS sites, and parents of children with SSD, across the UK will join participatory workshops to discuss the processes by which children with SSD are currently assessed and diagnosed in NHS services. These discussions will lead to an agreed process for SSD diagnosis. An online survey and card sorting activity will be undertaken by SLTs in clinical practice to determine a full list of SSD interventions in current practice to be included in the COS and minimum dataset.
• Thirdly, the results of the umbrella review, workshops and surveys will be presented for discussion to an expert panel of SLTs, academics and PPI members.

Then next steps (funding pending) will work with ten NHS SLT teams to begin collection of the COS and minimum dataset. We will determine what barriers may exist to collection of data and how these may be overcome in order to establish a process for collection of a large dataset which, subject to consent, can be used to address a wide range of questions relevant to this population. These data will be used to compare outcomes across different care pathways.

The MISLToe_SSD Study

 

Diagnostic Protocol for SSD & List of Interventions

The Core Outcome Set and Minimum Dataset for Speech Sound Disorder

Meet the team

Annual Leave & Sickness

Catering

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Your Manager

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Southmead Hospital Charity

North Bristol NHS Trust is committed to ensuring it delivers inclusive health services for all. Respect, dignity, civility, compassion and care are at the core of how we treat each other and all our partners at NBT as patient safety, experience and outcomes are all improved when staff are valued, empowered, and supported.

Staff equality groups

Come and join our staff equality groups. Email us in confidence to get details of meetings, training events and more.

• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic
• Disabled & Neurodivergent
• LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, + Represents other sexual identities, including pansexual)
• Women

Additional Support

The Social Model of Disability has been adopted by the Trust - North Bristol NHS Trust Adopts the Social Model of Disability | North Bristol NHS Trust

Information to promote our positive policies at NBT for neurodivergent staff, includes contacts for managers and staff.

NBT also welcomes Disability Reasonable Adjustments to support staff be their best at work.

Declare your equality information

All staff are encouraged to tell us who they are through ESR (electronic staff record), as this helps us to develop targeted support initiatives for different staff groups.

For any Equality, Diversity and Inclusion matters, you can contact the Staff Experience & Culture Team by emailing: Inclusion@nbt.nhs.uk

NBT’s Declarations of Interest Policy is in line with NHS England guidance and it is important that all staff are familiar with the principles set out.

All relevant interests should be declared, even where no conflict currently exists or is anticipated.

It is an NHS Constitution Key Principle that ‘All NHS staff must seek to ensure that they are not placed in a position which risks, or appears to risk, conflict of interest between individuals and the interests of the Trust’.

The Joint Union Committee (JUC) consists of representatives from all of the Trade Unions recognised and based at North Bristol NHS Trust.

There are a number of Trade Unions and Professional Associations that negotiate on a regular basis with North Bristol NHS Trust on behalf of all staff. A full list of those representatives is available on the Unions page of LINK, our intranet, once you have computer access. Whatever your role, and where ever you work, there are trained trade union representatives who can support you over a wide range of workplace issues.

The JUC meets monthly to discuss issues that affect all staff within the Trust.

In addition, a monthly meeting of the Joint Consultative and Negotiating Committee(JCNC) takes place, where members of the JUC meet with management representatives to negotiate on certain issues. 

Union representatives are involved in individual staff issues, as well as a range of various matters that affect all staff.

Any member of staff is welcome to contact the Trade Union Office on 0117 414 8550 or email TradeUnions@nbt.nhs.uk for further advice on which union is best for you.

On behalf of Joint Union Committee Members, Welcome to NBT.

At NBT, we have a wide range of apprenticeships available in both Clinical and Non-Clinical occupations to support your career development. Apprenticeships are an excellent way to gain valuable skills and qualifications whilst remaining in your current role. Apprenticeships start at level 2 and go up to level 7, which is equivalent to a Master's degree.

Apprenticeships make a big difference to staff

• Earn while you learn.
• Receive recognised qualifications.
• Benefit from ongoing and personalised support.
• Gain real work experience.
• Improve your employability.
• Develop your skills.

The need-to-knows

• Apprenticeships are fully funded – staff do not have to pay for their apprenticeship.
• All NBT staff who are eligible are offered the opportunity to undertake a programme of learning.
• Whilst completing your apprenticeship, you are given time to complete activities towards your qualification in work hours, this is called “off the job.
• Apprenticeships are functional work-based qualifications and therefore need to relate to the current role.  Apprentices will be demonstrating evidence to meet the apprenticeship assessment criteria.
• There are a range of clinical and non-clinical apprenticeships available from Level 2 to Level 7 (masters degree equivalent).
• Apprenticeship levels do not directly equate to NHS banding levels.
• You will find a brochure of apprenticeships on LINK 
   

How does the 20% off-the-job training work?

20% off-the-job training is a statutory requirement for apprentices. It is training, which is received by the apprentice, during their normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of the apprenticeship.

It is gained by attending study sessions, completing role-play or simulation exercises, undertaking online learning, practical training such as shadowing and mentoring and writing assessments or workbooks.

Apprenticeships help managers and teams in several ways

• Staff develop skills relevant to their organisation.
• Improved productivity and quality.
• Training can be adapted according to the needs of your department.
• Staff are motivated to learn new skills.
• Helps to expand and upskill your workforce.

How do managers support an apprentice?

• Engage with the programme.
• Incorporate apprenticeship as part of your appraisals.
• Provide support, guidance, and feedback.
• Support with mentors and peer guidance.

Apprenticeship Vacancies

Advertising roles as apprenticeships is something we are increasing at NBT.  Many of our roles both clinical and non-clinical are aligned to apprenticeships.  Utilising the “Find an Apprenticeship” website, designed for those individuals who are looking for an apprenticeship, we can maximise the target reach of vaccines to directly to those looking to start their career with us.  If you are recruiting and would like to know more, please contact paula.ward@nbt.nhs.uk for more information.

Feedback from our Apprentices:

Apprenticeships can have a hugely positive impact on individuals and lead to not only an increase in knowledge and skills but also confidence and progression opportunities:

You will find more information on LINK, our intranet, once you have computer access. 

Mandatory training includes any statutory or compulsory training that you are required to do. 

Information will be provided at your Induction on how to access LEARN, our eLearning platform, and complete your training. 

Remember your mandatory and statutory training must be completed within your first week and local orientation should be completed within four weeks of your arrival. Your line manager must also sign your local orientation form and update your records.

Depending on your role and responsibilities you may be required to undertake a number of clinical competencies.