Julie Carter, Speech & Language Therapist

Professional Experience

I qualified as a Speech & Language Therapist in 2002. In my current role, I work with older teens and adults with congenital and acquired deafness undergoing assessment for cochlear implantation and provide listening rehabilitation following surgery. The caseload is increasingly complex and patients often have neurological and other comorbidities that require consideration to ensure the individual’s rehabilitation plan is optimal. This role gives me the opportunity to work with patients and often their families to achieve long term goals. Within the team I work with multidisciplinary colleagues on improving the service we provide to older adults, patients with additional needs and teenagers as they move from the paediatric to the adult service. I value working as part of a multidisciplinary team and never underestimate the benefits of team working to gain a complete picture of patient performance and incorporating this into holistic management.

Until 2019 I worked predominantly with adults with acute and progressive neurological conditions including stroke, acute brain injury, brain and head & neck oncology, progressive neurological conditions, dementia and congenital conditions, in the hospital setting, and also in the community. I have many years of experience in the assessment and management of receptive and expressive language disorders, speech impairment and swallowing problems. In all of my roles, I have used the information gained through formal and informal assessments to develop a management plan to enable the patient to work towards their functional goals.

Throughout my career, I have been involved in providing teaching to other professionals and to speech & language therapy students in communication and swallowing disorders, requiring up to date knowledge of the evidence base in these areas.

Professional Development

I offer clinical placements to undergraduate and Masters level students throughout the year. I provide peer support to colleagues in cochlear implant centres around the country, through workplace shadowing and support via video call/ email as needed. I also maintain my professional development and HCPC standards by attending relevant training.