Speech and Language Therapy Assistants: The Views of Speech and Language Therapists in Ireland

In response to the high demand for speech and language therapy services and the shortage of speech and language therapists in Ireland, the Department of Health and Children has signalled an intention to introduce a grade of speech and language therapy assistant into the Irish health services. This paper reports on the results of a study which examined the issues for speech and language therapists in relation to the possible introduction of such a grade. It describes the views of speech and language therapists concerning the value of an assistant grade; the tasks that speech and language therapists believe could be appropriately carried out by an assistant; whether they feel ready for the introduction of such a grade, and their opinions in relation to the training and supervision of assistants.