Speech-language therapy — Bay of Plenty
Speech-language therapists are trained healthcare providers who work with people who have communication or swallowing disorders. We also work with the person's whānau (family) to overcome the problems.
Contact us
To contact the speech-language therapy service:
- call (Tauranga): 07 579 8785
- call (Whakatāne): 07 306 0718
- email: SLT.Referrals@bopdhb.govt.nz
Where to find us
The speech-language therapy service is at:
Tauranga Hospital
829 Cameron Road
Tauranga South
Tauranga
Bay of Plenty
Whakatāne Hospital
Whakatāne Hospital
Stewart Street
Whakatāne
Services we provide
We provide speech-language assessment and treatment services for:
- speech
- language
- swallowing problems.
This may include:
- assessment of your communication and swallowing difficulties
- rehabilitation
- advice on helpful strategies, including alternative and assistive technology
- education.
Children (up to 2 years)
We provide services to children who
- require inpatient or outpatient services for feeding and swallowing difficulties
- have feeding or speech difficulties due to a cleft lip, cleft palate or other problems with the mouth or throat
- are under 2 years of age and have communication difficulties
- babies and children with feeding or swallowing difficulties
- meet the criteria for the child development service.
Adults
We help adults with communication or swallowing difficulties due to conditions such as:
- stroke
- progressive neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, and multiple sclerosis
- cancer
- surgery to the head and neck
- voice difficulties.
Referral information
Your healthcare provider can refer you to our speech-language therapy service. You can also self-refer.
Children over 2 years with speech and language delays should put a service request through the Ministry of Education.