SLT Role in Frailty: Recording now available

Learning Objectives:

• To learn more about the role of SLT and interdisciplinary working in the area of frailty
• To share up to date research within Irish frailty services
• To create a forum to share learning and experiences

Speaker/Facilitator Bios:

David G. Smithard, B.Sc MBBS MD FRCP FRCSLT (Hon)

David is a clinician researcher based in the South East of Greater London. He qualified from the London Hospital Medical College in 1986. He obtained his MD in Dysphagia from London University in 1997. He has published >80 papers in peer reviewed journals as well as numerous presentations to Learned Societies (British Geriatric Society, European Society of Swallowing Disorders, UK Swallowing Research Group, Dysphagia Research Society, Society of Acute Medicine). He continues to conduct research into Dysphagia Rehabilitation focusing on sarcopenia, frailty and dysphagia and dysphagia post stroke. David is Chair and founder member of the UK Swallowing Research Group and has been a board member of the European Society for Swallowing Disorders and Hon Secretary and founder member of the British Association of Stroke Physicians. He has been awarded an honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and is a Visiting Professor at Greenwich University. David has delivered invited lectures (on dysphagia in older people and stroke) in many European countries (including Russia, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and Italy). He is a member of various working groups looking into the management of dysphagia in Care Homes and in acute settings. David is editor of Triple Helix, journal of the Christian Medical Fellowship and board member of Integritas CIC.

Orla Boyle, B. Sc (Hons) MIASLT

Orla is a Senior SLT working in the Gerontological Emergency Department Intervention (GEDI) team. The GEDI team is a frailty intervention team, comprised of medical, nursing and HSCPs, based in the Emergency Department in Tallaght University Hospital. She is a member of the working group developing the position paper on Speech and Language Therapy provision for People Living with Frailty.

Jenny Kirwan, B. Sc (Hons)

Jenny is a Clinical Specialist SLT and works within the Mater FIT team. Mater FIT is a frailty intervention team, comprised of medical, nursing and HSCPs, who are based in the Mater Emergency Department.

Anya Leonard, B. Sc (Hons), M.Sc

Anya is a Clinical Specialist SLT currently working as a core member of the FIT team in Cork University Hospital, based in the Emergency Department.

Aifric Conway, B. Sc (Hons), M. Sc

Aifric is a Senior SLT working on the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit in St. Columcille’s hospital. She has been a member of the working group developing the position paper on Speech and Language Therapy provision for People Living with Frailty since 2021 when she was working on the frailty intervention team in Beaumont Hospital.

Eoin Lynch, B. Sc (Hons)

Eoin is a SLT working with the acute SLT Team and the Frailty Intervention Team (WexFIT) at Wexford General Hospital. WexFIT is a Frailty Intervention Team comprised of nursing staff and HSCPs, providing an admission avoidance service approach to the Emergency Department and Acute Medical Assessment Unit.