A Guide to Dysphagia training available to staff

May 14, 2024

Due to recent incidents within the Trust, we ask that all inpatient clinical/patient-facing staff including those working in the Emergency, SDEC and Discharge lounges complete the training. 

Our E-learning “A Guide to Dysphagia” is live on Centric Cortex (In Library, under Mandatory/Other Training Courses).

There are 3 modules. Each is short. Followed by a multiple-choice course assessment once all modules are completed.

Priority 1 – Dysphagia safety briefing: Identifying and managing the condition (6mins)

Priority 2 – Modifying Dysphagia through a texture-modified diet (IDDSI overview – 8mins)

Priority 3 – Correctly mixing thickened drinks for dysphagia patients (9mins)

In total, this shouldn’t take much more than 30 minutes.

If you only have a few minutes to spare please prioritise Module 1.

Dates for bookable face-to-face sessions are still to be confirmed so please look out for further comms about this in due course.

REMINDER: Referrals to Adult Inpatient Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) are made via Unity > Requests & Care Plans. Please can we ask that referrals are made promptly at the point of identifying need for SLT input and that you provide detail in the “Other Clinical Details’ box as to what your concerns are e.g. “coughing on fluids”, “slurred speech”, “oral intake for comfort at end of life”. This will greatly help us triage and prioritise patients based on need and urgency. Thank you.

If you have any questions, please contact Ellie Savage (ellie.savage1@nhs.net) or Becky Johnson (rebecca.johnson17@nhs.net)