Medical Employment Agency New Zealand & United Kingdom, Medical Staffing International

NZSTA/Medical Staffing International Achievement Award 2009

Speech language therapy is more than words can say

Fiona Hewerdine’s research project “Putting it on the Page” is her positive response to the Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s goal of providing flexible, effective patient-centred care. Her work draws on three visual tools to help people fully express themselves – and that’s particularly valuable for patients with impaired communication skills.

“By addressing just the physical problems a patient is facing, you’re only treating a quarter of that person’s needs,” explains Fiona. “I believe it’s just as important to address the emotional, spiritual and family needs of that person – especially in palliative care, when patients are having to face their own mortality and loss of role, function and a future.”

These tools consist of a visual analogue scale; blobby men; and Russell Withers’ interactive drawing therapy. Fiona’s project forms part of her Masters Degree studies, and she’s currently applying to the Ethics Committee so that her approach can be used in clinical practice.

Fiona’s approach also has great benefits for SLTs. “It takes a lot of pressure of the clinician, who then acts as a facilitator of the client’s self-expression. These tools empower the patients, and provide valuable feedback and information for the SLT to work with.”

Fiona’s already been working hard to present her work to a wider audience. “At one conference, I decided against standing up and just discussing theory: I wanted to demonstrate a more practical approach. So I made all 71 attendees work through the visual tools there and then, and the feedback was great. It really got them thinking about the four cornerstones of health, i.e. the physical, spiritual, family and emotional aspects.”

Keen to spread the message overseas, Fiona intends to share her work with the Motor Neurone Disease Association in the UK, and that would be funded by her Award money.

“I’d like to thank Kirsten Thomforde at Medical Staffing International for supporting the personal growth and development of clinicians, as these kinds of opportunities are very rare. Winning this Award will improve clinical practices and benefit many patients.”

Last year’s Award winner, Laura Wells, presented her work to the Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and Ireland annual conference in Ireland earlier this year.

“It was a fantastic conference and I enjoyed the presentations from therapists and from other professions involved in cleft lip and palate teams,” says Laura. “Since then I’ve been suggesting changes at Middlemore, such as beginning an audit process to evaluate our speech therapy services. This will benefit patients, families and clinicians.”

Kirsten Thomforde of Medical Staffing International adds: “There’s so much quality work and research taking place in New Zealand and it’s great to be able to reward those at the forefront. As well as recognising dedicated SLTs, this work as the potential to benefit so many people worldwide. Medical Staffing International is privileged to be able to contribute to the professional development of these outstanding clinicians.

For more information about the NZSTA/Medical Staffing International Award for Achievement in Speech and Language Therapy >>

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