Moving Beyond Thickener (Our story through thick and thin)

Claire and Sandra will share the story of how the adult acquired team in NHS Highland moved beyond the use of thickener. From 10 years ago until now, they will describe how the team challenged their own thinking and changed practice.

Sandra Hewitt, Speech and Language Therapist, NHS Highland

Sandra is the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Stroke Services in NHS Highland. This role involves working with people and their families across all stages of their stroke journey from acute inpatient assessment to community support and rehabilitation. She works as part of a multi-disciplinary team, supporting adults in both urban and rural areas. Sandra also facilitates the Professional Interest Network for the Adult team across the region. Sandra qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 1992 and also has a Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling. She previously worked in Hull and Glasgow before returning home to the Highlands in 2000. She has a particular interest in Aphasia rehabilitation and Primary Progressive Aphasia.

Claire MacGregor, Speech and Language Therapist, NHS Highland

Claire qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2009 and began her career in Moray, NHS Grampian, where she worked for 13 years across a wide range of adult acquired caseloads. In 2022, she moved to NHS Highland to take on the newly established role of Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for Major Trauma, providing specialist input across the region. Living and working in the Highlands has given Claire the opportunity to practise in diverse clinical settings, developing extensive experience in supporting adults with complex communication and swallowing needs. Her specialist interests include progressive neurological conditions and traumatic brain injury.

Claire spent many years as a member of the Dysphagia Clinical Excellence Network (CEN),

including serving time on its committee until 2017.