Over half of those living with neurological conditions who could not access speech and language therapy (SLT) during COVID-19 lockdown have seen their mental health, social and home lives worsen as a result, new research has revealed.
Between March and June 2020, 41 per cent did not receive any SLT, with a further 32 per cent no longer having their therapy in-person. Almost half, at 48 per cent, received less therapy than prior to the pandemic.
And as a result of this, 40 per cent of people felt their communication or swallowing got worse during the period, the #BuildBackBetterSLT – Neurological Conditions research from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) showed.
Furthermore, among people receiving SLT and their families and carers, both groups identified the severe impact the lack of continuity of therapy had on their lives.
More than half of people felt their mental health, social life and home life all worsened as a result, with those statistics mirrored among those closest to them.
Kamini Gadhok MBE, chief executive of RCSLT, told NR Times: “As respondents highlighted, speech and language therapy provides them with crucial support.
“We were therefore deeply concerned to hear that so many had had less access to speech and language therapy during the first lockdown.
“Going forward, it is essential that everyone living with a neurological condition is able to have the speech and language therapy they and their families and carers need.”
The survey included 45 people who need SLT for communication or swallowing support, and who accessed it regularly until March 2020.
Prior to that time, 64 per cent were in receipt of SLT before March 2020 – but that dropped to 36 per cent once the pandemic and its restrictions hit.
Pre-March, 23 per cent of people had some of their SLT delivered via video or online – but the increase during lockdown was welcomed, with 63 per cent reporting they liked this means of therapy delivery.
