1. An exciting new development for the profession
RCSLT Hubs
An exciting new development for the profession
Anne Gamble
Country Councillor for Ireland
RCSLT

2. Changes impacting the profession
Economic downturn & pressures
Policy / TYC
Legislation
Growing demand for services driven by demographic change and new ways of meeting patient and client need
Use of technology
Plurality of commissioners and providers
Workforce & skills mix
Quality and evidence based practice to meet needs
Showing value for money and a return on investment
Outcome measures and commissioning on outcomes
Global
National
Regional
Local
SLT / Clinician
Service user

3. Responding to changes and opportunities
Influencing policy and legislation
Understanding the local context
Working with a range of commissioners and providers
Speaking the language of the organisation you work for. What are their :
priorities
financial pressures
outcomes
performance measures
Clinical business skills: conversations that combine quality, evidence, patient outcomes, as well as finance
Global
National
Regional
Local
SLT / Clinician
Service user
Project being funded by EM LETB

4. Why do we need RCSLT Hubs?
Services need to show value for money…
show evidence of effectiveness of interventions

5. Through working together
RCSLT
SLTs at
all levels
Independent
SLTs
Advisers
Giving
Voice
Champions
Service
users
Through working together
Service leaders (all kinds)
Clinical Excellence Networks
Families and carers
Research champions
Students
HEIs
Assistants

6. Each Hub is helping to progress the profession in these four key areas:
Professional development / CPD
Service development
Research
Raising awareness / campaigning influencing

7. Working regionally and nationally
Hubs provide the network of SLTs to inform national-level work especially:
Developing the evidence base through National CENs, National RCSLT Specialist Advisers & research champions
Influencing budget holders and decision-makers (Giving Voice champions and service leaders)
Supporting the RCSLT to respond to consultations and policy developments
Identifying examples of good practice and patterns of issues affecting the profession

8. Where do Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs) fit in?
Hubs are not replacing CENs!
CENs will play an integral role in their Hub:
informing agendas
clinical area/setting specific events
specialist knowledge
use Hubs as a platform

9. RCSLT
But things we still need to do in Northern Ireland…
Work in collaboration to enhance use of new technology for patient care
Influence local management by supporting members with new structures and skills at a time of austerity
Support members with data collection and outcome measures work
Coordinate research effort to address gaps in the evidence
Provide regular CPD opportunities to support evidence based practice
Coordinate support and collaboration between members and others online and face-to-face
Set up systems to update members in the political and policy landscapes
Is the voice of speech and language therapy at a UK-wide level
Influences UK-wide government policy
Uses Giving Voice to support members in the face of cuts
Brings the ‘family’ of SLT communities together
Outreach support to members
Provides professional standards
Focuses on things that affect our members and their service users
Develops guidance in response to pressures on the profession

10. The Next Steps It is your hub we need your input we need your opinions
we need to find out about you and your area of skills
we need to know what you want from your hub

11. Service leaders
INTERACTIVE SESSION