"Speech pathologist advocate"

To the staff of Great Ocean Road Health,

I am writing as a speech pathologist who has been working with two of your residents for several months.

I see many individuals in residential facilities in my work as a speech pathologist, as well as having had personal experience with family members in such settings. From the first day I started seeing your residents, I have been blown away by the care that is provided, and the staff members providing this care.

The very fact that you are facilitating regular speech pathology input for individuals with communication difficulties is significant. Whilst I personally believe access to communication therapy and support for individuals with communication difficulties should be the norm, this is often not considered a priority. However, for your service, it does appear to be a standard practice, and this I believe is commendable. Not only do you recognise the value and importance of this, but you have committed to facilitating such sessions, as well as helping with homework activities and supporting the residents to use their newly learnt skills in their daily environments. You are comfortable using AAC (e.g. communication books etc.) and recognise that this is the resident's voice, and therefore essential for them to have access to. This really is something special.

The way in which you support individuals with dysphagia is exemplary. You take on speech pathology recommendations with great care, even when such recommendations create extra work for you. You go above and beyond to explore ways in which to optimise the residents' quality of life, including changing your practises such as ordering new foods in, using moulds for minced moist and pureed diets, investigating new and exciting options that may be compliant with a modified diet and reviewing medication options that are compliant with recommendations for non-solid dose medications. You have a healthy balance between risk management and quality of life and make calculated decisions in the context of this. You are flexible and thoughtful in your management, understanding why recommendations have been made, not just what has been decided.

Most of all, the relationships you so obviously share with your residents are just beautiful. It is common for me to see someone and have their carer or nurse not know any information about the person they are caring for. This has never been the case with you. You know not only the medical details for the residents, but what motivates them, what makes them tick, how best to support them and overall, what makes them feel connected and loved.

The residents at Great Ocean Road Health are very lucky to have you. In a time where resources are limited, stress is at an all-time high and it can sometimes feel like no matter how hard you try it's just not good enough, please know that the work you do is valuable and is being noticed.