Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' best practice guidance for Parkinson's launched

The guidance is designed to support speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the assessment and management of communication, eating, drinking, swallowing, and saliva issues.

The document, which is the first SLT Parkinson’s clinical guideline for the UK, was developed by a working group of SLTs from all 4 nations in the UK and a range of specialities, with input from our SLT Parkinson’s Clinical Excellence Network (CEN). A consultation earlier in 2025 incorporated responses from SLTs, people with Parkinson’s, families and carers, researchers, specialist nurses, Parkinson’s UK, MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) Trust, and the PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) Association.

Caroline Bartliff, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, and SLT Parkinson’s CEN lead, said:

“I'm absolutely delighted that the document has been published: our first SLT Parkinson's Clinical Guideline.

“A UK SLT clinical guideline is so important to help us advocate for the best therapies and standardise clinical practice to reduce geographical inequality in service provision.”

Our SLT Parkinson's Clinical Excellence Network was established to support therapists, share best practice, collaborate, and network.

Find out more about the network.

The original concept for the guidance was conceived in 2018 by the late Ana Aragon, an occupational therapist and founder of the Occupational Therapists Parkinson's Network. The final document was started by RCSLT and our Excellence Network in early 2024.