Speech and Language Therapy - FOI Response Register

1. The longest waiting time for initial contact for children and young people’s speech and language therapy in May 2024.

SLT – 16 weeks

Autism Assessment Pathway (waiting list held in SLT) – 118 weeks (27 months)

2. In May 2024, please tell us how many people were waiting for initial contact for children and young people’s speech and language therapy.  Please break this down by numbers waiting less than 12 weeks, 12 to 18 weeks, 19 weeks to 26 weeks, 27 weeks to 52 weeks, 1 year to 2 years and over two years.

SLT waiting times recorded on May 31st 2024

Waiting less than 12 weeks - 32

Waiting 12 to 18 weeks - 3

Waiting over 19 weeks – 0

Autism Pathway figures (separate to SLT figures above)

Autism pathway waiting times recorded on May 31st 2024

Waiting less than 12 weeks - 11

Waiting 12 to 18 weeks - 9

Waiting over 19 weeks – 125

3. The longest wait for individualised therapy in May 2024.

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.

4. Please detail the health substantive core funding committed for children and young people’s speech and language therapy for the current business year – 2024/25.

Funding for Speech and Language Therapy is not split into Children and Adults services.  Current caseload split is 78% Children and 22% adults. We also co-ordinate the children’s autism assessments and funding for that is also included in the total. 

Total NHS core funding is £168,449

5. Please detail the external funding committed for children and young people’s speech and language therapy for the current business year – 2024/25. List by type of funding, ie core service level agreement(s) with relevant local authorities, attainment challenge, early years, pupil equity fund, 3rd Sector etc.

SLA with Shetland Islands Council Education provides £105,628