THE Health Department needs to reconsider its policy on speech and language therapy. A report on short- and long-term goals for the service will go before the States this month.

But former St Martin’s head teacher Deputy Geoff Mahy and member of Wigwam support group Jan Aslett both think a different approach is needed due to recruitment difficulties.

In February funding was agreed for three new posts – two therapists and one assistant – but the paediatric position remains unfilled.

‘From my experience as a head teacher, recruiting and retaining speech therapists over the last 15 years have been a problem; there’s definitely a shortage nationally,’ said Deputy Mahy.

‘Because of this I did float the idea with the Health Department of more speech therapy assistants to work under the direction of qualified therapists.’

He said that classroom assistants provided an invaluable service, learning an enormous amount working alongside teachers.

‘I notice there was no problem appointing an assistant. If you could have a team of 10, perhaps three or four assistants part-time as well, this could make a big difference to the service provided.’

He added that the value of therapy could not be underestimated with speech being used not only to connect but also to think.

And the situation could be very frustrating for the parent of a child who needed help.

‘I’m very supportive of the efforts made by the Health minister as it is very difficult to recruit.’

Mrs Aslett was concerned children remained without therapy at the start of a new school year.

‘I’m aware of the national shortage and therefore feel that the department needs to reconsider its policy,’ she said.

Health minister Peter Roffey admitted there was still some way to go before the service reached the level the department would like.

It aimed to secure two more therapists by 2005, one for adult and another paediatric, but could make no commitment because of funding.

Mrs Aslett said: ‘It should either employ newly qualified, possibly local therapists offering them the chance to gain experience they need with the clients they would end up working with, or employ more speech and language therapy assistants.’

Assistants worked well in the physiotherapy service, said Mrs Aslett, which consequently had far fewer therapists than the speech and language service.

‘The positive things in the report are that two 15-year licences have been granted for the senior positions within the speech and language therapy department and also that the service has now an extra adult therapist and an assistant, so at least there is progress.’

But she was still concerned what the department was going to offer to children who had already been deprived of a service for many years.

‘How are they going to help them make up the ground they have lost?’