Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit (BSLTRU)

North Bristol NHS Trust
Pines and Steps
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol
BS10 5NB

Telephone: 0117 414 3951

Email: dominika.kruszynska@nbt.nhs.uk  and  yvonne.wren@bristol.ac.uk

As a research unit we do not have direct clinical contact with patients.

If you are enquiring about speech and language therapy for yourself or a member of your family you will need to contact your local speech and language therapy service.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) website has details of how to find your nearest NHS speech and language therapy department.
Alternatively, for independent (private) speech and language therapy, search the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) website to find a local independent therapist.

We would love to hear from you if you are:

• A practitioner/commissioner interested in joining us as a co-applicant on a research grant proposal
• A member of the public interested in joining our patient group to meet, advise and shape our research ideas and projects
• An experienced or specialist clinician/researcher interested in leading a masterclass or workshop session at a BSLTRU organised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event for allied health professionals, practitioners and academics

Aphasia Hope Foundation - A non-profit foundation that has a two-fold mission: (1) to promote research into the prevention and cure of aphasia and (2) to ensure that all survivors of aphasia and their caregivers are aware of and have access to the best possible treatments available http://aphasiahope.wpengine.com/

Aphasia Software Finder - This site enables people to specify their area of language difficulty and immediately be given a list of available relevant treatment software programs. Detailed information is then provided regarding each program, enabling an informed choice to be made. https://www.aphasiasoftwarefinder.org/

Association of Speech & Language Therapists In Independent Practice (ASLTIP) - provides information and a contact point for members of the public searching for a private Speech and Language Therapists. http://www.helpwithtalking.com/

British Aphasiology Society (BAS) - A national interest group formed to foster the development of the study of aphasia http://www.bas.org.uk/

National Aphasia Association (NAA) - A non-profit organization that promotes public education, research, rehabilitation and support services to assist people with aphasia and their families. https://www.aphasia.org/

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) - The RCSLT is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK; providing leadership and setting professional standards. https://www.rcslt.org

Speak with IT - A non-profit organisation dedicated to providing ongoing help to people with Aphasia using computer-based programmes and one-to-one support via a team of volunteers.  http://www.speakwithit.org/

BSLTRU Research Strategy and the way forward

The Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit (BSLTRU) opened in 1987 and over the last 30 years the range of projects and expertise within this well known Unit has expanded considerably to cover many different aspects of the care and management of language and communication impairments including:

• Assessments, outcome measures and screening tools
• Perceptions of communication disorders and therapy from differing perspectives
• Therapists’ decision making
• Therapy development and evaluations
• Development and evaluation of computer software for adults and children with speech and language disorders

The methodologies used by the Unit cover the range of health service research methods including:

• Systematic reviews
• Epidemiology
• Applied research
• Mixed methods – qualitative and quantitative

Our vision for the future

We will be a National Health Service Research Unit with an international reputation for collaborative and interdisciplinary research which ultimately impacts and benefits/improves outcomes for people of all ages with communication impairments and their families.

The Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit (BSLTRU) was founded in 1987 by Professor Pam Enderby with the support of a grant from the Underwood Trust. Now, with an illustrious history behind us, we are continuing to investigate speech and language therapy; how it is implemented with the changing contexts of primary and secondary care and its impact of those receiving it.

Since BSLTRU was established, it has received significant funding from The Underwood Trust, this generosity has enabled us to develop and strengthen our programme of research.  We have worked with many academic institutions, and have had particularly close relationships with the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) and the University of Bristol (UoB).

Members of the Unit have led national teams with successful National Institute of Health Research Grants. Our research has led to national and international collaboration, including working with therapists in Australia and on an EU COST Action. 

The research teams membership has changed over time and we have seen staff develop their research skills and how they transfer research evidence into their clinical practice.  We have had the great pleasure of having more than 16 people achieve their PhD’s or MSc while with us and then watch them become independent researchers and practitioners.

The unit continues to combine a unique set of skills, expertise and proven research record, to ensure that we stay at the centre of research for speech, language and communication in the UK.

• Epidemiology
• Applied research
• Mixed methods – qualitative and quantitative

Our research has focused on children’s developmental speech and language impairments, stuttering and disorders associated to neurological disease in adults.
There is a wide range of projects in progress at the Research Unit. 

The main outputs of research are spoken or poster presentations given at clinical and academic conferences and publications in peer reviewed journal articles.  Where this is the case with BSLTRU research you can find details about these on individual researchers researchgate.com accounts.  Each researcher with these types of dissemination have a link at the bottom of their profile page.

Where permission has been given Video of public lectures are located on the 'video' page of this section of our website.

The Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit (BSLTRU) conducts research and development that aims to improve the care and management of people with speech, language and communication disorders by developing knowledge related to the prevention, management and social consequences of the disorders.

The Unit is hosted by North Bristol NHS Trust and is situated in the grounds of Southmead Hospital, Bristol. The team consists of speech & language therapy, psychology and information systems researchers with specialisms in primary language delays, speech impairments, aphasiology and stuttering as well as administrative and technical support.

Our research is entirely funded by grants and charitable donations.

To find out what we have been up to in the Spring of 2023 to the Summer of 2024, download our Annual Report. Or Catch up with our latest news via our newsletters.

 

NBT Cares. It’s a very simple statement; one which epitomises how everybody across our organisation goes the extra mile to ensure our patients get the best possible care.

Cares stands for Caring, Ambitious, Respectful and Supportive: 

• Caring – because it underpins everything we do for our patients and the way we care for one another
• Ambitious – because it signals that we always want to improve what we do on behalf of our patients and one another
• Respectful – because every individual has an important role to play
• Supportive – because we’re a team and deliver together 

Clevedon Minor Injury Unit is run by Sirona care and health.

Please see the unit page for more details.

Clevedon Minor Injury Unit (MIU) offers treatment for adults and children over over 12 months of age for a wide range of minor injuries. Provided by Sirona Care & Health, you can drop in with no appointment necessary. All patients are seen by a Nurse or Paramedic Practitioner.

Clevedon MIU is able to treat patients presenting with minor injuries that include:

• Wounds and grazes
• Cuts needing stitches
• Trips and falls
• Broken bones
• Minor injuries resulting from minor road traffic accidents
• Minor injuries arising from domestic violence
• Minor burns
• Sports injuries
• Sprains, bruises and abrasions
• Head injuries (no loss of consciousness)
• Simple eye trauma e.g. foreign bodies
• Removal of foreign bodies
• Advice
• Minor injuries in children over 12 months of age.

Opening hours: Open seven days a week,8am - 8.30pm, excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day when opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm. No appointment needed. Their X-Ray opening hours are weekdays 8.30am – 4.30pm, and weekends and bank holidays 10am - 5.30pm.

Location: Clevedon MIU, Clevedon Community Hospital, Old Street, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 6BS.

Contact: Call 01275 546852. For more information on Clevedon MIU visit https://www.sirona-cic.org.uk/nhsservices/services/clevedon-minor-injury-unit/

In a life-threatening emergency go to the Emergency Department or call 999.

You can contact your GP for help with non-urgent illnesses, ongoing long-term health conditions or minor injuries. GPs provide a range of services by appointment including medical advice, examinations and prescriptions, and using a GP can save you time as they know your medical history.

Opening hours: Many are open longer hours including early morning, late evenings and Saturdays.

Location: Find a GP near you

 

 

Contact: Contact your GP directly. If you do not have a GP or your GP is closed call NHS 111.

 

In a life-threatening emergency go to the Emergency Department or call 999.