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In our update this month we are joined by Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs and Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes.

We cover:

• Research Champions Professional Network https://www.rcslt.org/members/research/research-networks/#section-2
• Relaunch of registration for Clinical Academic Mentors scheme https://www.rcslt.org/members/research/research-networks/#section-3
• Link between research and outcomes and decision making
• Update on Invest in SLT campaign: https://www.rcslt.org/news/invest-in-slt-campaign-letter-delivered-to-downing-street/
• NHSE Workforce plan – advance tests
• SEND consultation https://www.rcslt.org/news/send-reforms-share-your-views/, EAH detail on ICB roles, and Parliamentary debate (plus PPA and AHPs)
• Welsh manifestos
• Help us build our next strategy: https://www.rcslt.org/news/help-us-build-our-next-strategy/
• RCSLT Research strat plan listening events:
  Listening event 13 May: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7450576966879117313/?viewAsMember=true
  
  Listening event 18 May: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7450581649479880705/?viewAsMember=true
• Podcast for World Voice Day: https://www.rcslt.org/news/new-podcast-highlights-the-importance-of-voice/

About our sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Zanda. Zanda combines all your admin, billing, scheduling, and communication needs into one easy-to-use platform built specifically for health practitioners. It supports SLTs to simplify practice management, from online bookings and automated reminders to secure notes, AI, invoicing, and payments, all in one connected system. Zanda helps you stay organised, improve cash flow, and create a smooth client experience from first appointment to final payment.

https://zandahealth.com/uk/profession/speech-therapy-software/?utm_source=rcslt&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=UK_Podcast&utm_content=paid

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

World Voice Day podcast notes

For World Voice Day 2026 RCSLT President Nick Hewer met with two people with voice difficulties, Margaret Stoddart and Jono Organ. They chat about their voice conditions, the difficulties they have faced, how speech and language therapy has supported them and what life is like now.

About the speakers:

Margaret

Elvis Presley fan, registered nurse and grandmother of six, Margaret Stoddart works as cath lab coordinator in the Cardiology department of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. For the past six years she’s experienced a voice disorder called Muscle Tension Dysphonia and Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Margaret is area contact leader for Dysphonia International, an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions through research, education, awareness, and support. She also hosts her own podcast ‘My Voice, My Way.'

Jono

Jono Organ is married with four children and 11 grandchildren, a self-employed health and safety consultant and trainer, working in the construction industry. He used to enjoy cycling and running before being diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Since his laryngectomy operation in 2023, he’s shifted his focus to awareness raising.

Jono is a governor for the Royal Marsden hospital and sits on panels there, as well as at Great Ormond street Hospital. He is an ambassador to The Throat cancer foundation and also Oracle head and neck UK. In January this year he also set up a laryngectomy support group charity, ‘Life After Lary’.

Nick Hewer:

Nick Hewer, former presenter of iconic television programme Countdown, holds the role of RCSLT President. He is passionate about raising awareness of communication and swallowing difficulties, and helps to promote the message of the RCSLT to the general public. His ongoing work with the RCSLT has earned him an honorary degree from Plymouth Marjon University.

Nick is also a published author, and he has previously worked as a public relations consultant and as Lord Sugar’s right-hand-man on The Apprentice. He is also patron for several charities, including Fairtrade, Hope and Homes for Children, Pancreatic Cancer Action and Street Child Sierra Leone.

Useful links:

• Find out more about World Voice Day 2026, which takes place on April 16: https://worldvoiceday.org/
• ‘My Voice, My Way’ podcast hosted by Margaret: https://myvoicemyway.buzzsprout.com/
• ‘Life After Lary’: https://www.lifeafterlary.co.uk/news/2942375_new-uk-charity-dedicated-to-supporting-people-after-laryngectomy
• What is the RCSLT? https://www.rcslt.org/about-us/

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please let us know what you think of this podcast.

In this podcast we chat with Hannah Waine and Sally Bates about their research which looks at how UK speech and language therapists assess children’s expressive language, in particular looking at whether their practices reflect recommendations from the CATALISE consensus statements (published 2016/17). (CATALISE redefined Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and emphasised the importance of assessing functional impairment and real‑life impact, not just test scores.)

The paper is:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12883

Hannah Waine, Sally Bates, Pauline Frizelle, Tomasina M. Oh

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.