Speech and Language Therapy Munch time webinars

Have your lunch, join us and get tastes and flavours of research, guidelines and lived experiences on topics related to our work at Evelina London.

All sessions will be recorded for viewing for up to a month after the event.

Relevant for Community Speech and Language Therapists, Student Speech and Language Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, Medical Professionals

Please take a look at the details for the sessions below:

11th September 2025

Title: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): The Evelina London Children's Hospital Service and the Role of the Speech and Language Therapist

Presenter: Anne Breaks

Objective: To provide an overview of recent developments and disease-modifying treatments used with patients with SMA, and to increase knowledge of the assessment and management of feeding and communication.

Blurb: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) treatments include both disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and supportive care. DMTs such as Zolgensma (gene therapy), Spinraza (nusinersen), and Evrysdi (risdiplam) target the underlying genetic cause of SMA, while supportive care focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. To date, feeding outcomes have not shown the same level of improvement as motor outcomes, and persistent feeding difficulties may mean that some children are unable to feed orally and require a gastrostomy.

Anne Breaks Bio: Anne (she/her) has specialised in working with children with complex needs for much of her career. Anne has worked at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital since 2017. Her clinical specialisms are dysphagia, saliva management and motor speech disorders. Previously Anne worked as a commissioner for children's community services and has also managed a large community paediatric therapy service. Anne was awarded a PhD from University College London in 2019. Her research investigated parental views and outcomes of using blended diets in the paediatric population. Anne is currently carrying out a qualitative research project, investigating the lived experiences of families of children with SMA.

Relevant for: Community Speech and Language Therapists, Student Speech and Language Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, Medical Professionals

2nd October 2025

Title: Cardiac Conditions: Feeding and Swallowing Presentations, Assessment and Management, and the Role of the Speech and Language Therapist

Presenter: Clare Russell

Objective: To provide an overview of how cardiac conditions impact feeding development and swallow safety, and to improve understanding of the role of the Speech and Language Therapist in managing feeding difficulties associated with cardiac conditions.

Blurb: Children with cardiac conditions often experience feeding difficulties, either due to their underlying heart function or as a result of medical interventions aimed at improving cardiac function. This webinar draws on our experiences at the Royal Brompton Hospital in supporting these patients to develop or maintain their oral feeding skills during periods of illness or recovery.

Clare Russell Bio: Clare has been working with children with cardiac conditions for over 10 years. Prior to that she has worked in mainstream schools, special schools, child development teams and community clinics. She qualified from University College London in 2004 with an MSc in Speech Sciences. Her special interests are dysphagia, neurodevelopment and AAC. She loves travelling, reading and fantastic food.

Relevant for: Community Speech and Language Therapists, Student Speech and Language Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, Medical Professionals

30 October 2025

Title: Intervention in Cleft Palate Speech

Presenter 1: Karen Sheppard

Presenter 2: Izzie Booth

Objective: To understand how the Evelina London Cleft Service supports children and adults born with cleft lip and/or palate who present with associated speech sound disorders, including evidence-based therapy intervention and techniques.

Blurb: This session will provide a brief overview of the diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate and its impact on early speech sound development. We will explore the latest research and its implications for therapy interventions and clinical practice within the Evelina London Cleft Service Speech and Language Therapy team. Finally, a patient case study will offer real-life context to the theory.

Presenter 1 Bio: Karen has worked at the Evelina London Cleft Service since 2022, and prior to this worked as a cleft link therapist for 2 years with the local SLT service in Kent. She has worked as an SLT for a total of 13 years, in community clinics and schools, and developed specialist interests in cleft, speech sound disorders and selective mutism. She graduated from City University in 2011 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy, and has just completed two Postgraduate Modules in Cleft Speech Assessment and Intervention with Cardiff Metropolitan University. Karen enjoys watching live music, sings in a choir, and has two cats.

Presenter 2 Bio: Izzie graduated from Reading University in 2020 with a Masters in Speech and Language Therapy, and has been working as a therapist for 5 years. She started her career in the Merton Community Early Years’ service, specialising in complex communication and dysphagia. Following this, Izzie has now been working with the Evelina London Cleft Service since November 2024. Izzie enjoys travelling and exploring new places, art/drawing and going to the theatre.

Relevant for: Community Speech and Language Therapists, Student Speech and Language Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, Medical Professionals

27 November 2025

Title: The Role of the Speech and Language Therapist in the Evelina Complex Feeding Service

Presenter 1: Katie Stretton

Presenter 2: Amina Macfarlane

Objective: To understand how the Complex Feeding Clinic at Evelina Hospital supports children and young people with ARFID and other selective feeding difficulties, with a focus on the role of the Speech and Language Therapist.

Blurb: This session will explore the role of the Speech and Language Therapist within a multidisciplinary complex feeding team, focusing on how we support children and young people with ARFID and other selective feeding difficulties. It will provide a general overview of the Evelina Complex Feeding Service, a brief introduction to ARFID and selective feeding, and examples of strategies we may support families to implement.

Presenter 1 Bio: Katie has worked in both community and outpatient services since moving to the UK in 2013, specialising both supporting children and young people with emerging communication profiles and neurodevelopmental diagnosis and intervention for much of her career. Katie has worked for Evelina Children’s Hospital since June 2020, first in the community team and now in a dual role at Evelina London Children’s Hospital as part of two multidisciplinary teams: Newcomen Neurodevelopmental Service and the Complex Feeding Service.

Presenter 2 Bio: Amina currently works in the community and outpatient services the Evelina London specialising both in supporting children and young people with emerging communication profiles and neurodevelopmental diagnosis. Amina has worked in a range of NHS settings and overseas working with children and families with communication and feeding differences. Amina has worked for Evelina Children’s Hospital since 2023 in the community team and Complex Feeding team as well as previously in the Newcomen Neurodevelopmental Service.

Relevant for: Community Speech and Language Therapists, Student Speech and Language Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, Medical Professionals

15 January 2026

Title: Children with a Diagnosis of 22q11 Deletion Syndrome: Assessment and Management of Swallowing

Presenter 1: Hannah Cook

Presenter 2: Lesley Baker

Objective: To understand the presentation of 22q11 syndrome and its impact on swallowing and feeding, including key considerations for assessment and management, and to increase knowledge and skills for Speech and Language Therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Blurb: 22q11 deletion syndrome is a complex condition that affects multiple body structures and functions, with wide-ranging impacts on health and development—including speech and feeding. This session will discuss common presentations in these children, how their difficulties typically arise, and approaches to management.

Presenter 1 Bio: Hannah (she/her) has worked at the Evelina London Cleft Service since 2009 and prior to that worked in community clinics, schools and hearing impairment services in South London. She qualified from the University of Reading in 2005 with a Bsc in Linguistics and Language Pathology. Her special interests include ultrasound biofeedback and Pierre Robin Sequence. She loves watching films and speaking French.

Presenter 2 Bio: Lesley (she/her) has been a speech and language therapist at the Evelina London Children's Hospital since 2008 and prior to that worked at the Bobath Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy. She qualified from Queen Margaret University University College, Edinburgh, in 2000 with a BSc in Speech Pathology and Therapy. Her special interests are all in paediatrics: dysphagia (including videofluoroscopic swallow studies), motor disorders and Rett syndrome. She loves travelling and listening to podcasts.

Relevant for: Community Speech and Language Therapists, Student Speech and Language Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, Medical Professionals

12 Febuary 2026

Title: Laryngeal Hypersensitivity in Children: The Role of the Speech and Language Therapist

Presenter 1: Lizzie Nash

Presenter 2: Chelsea Roy

Objective: To understand the role of the Speech and Language Therapist in working with children who present with symptoms of laryngeal hypersensitivity, and to increase knowledge of the available assessment and management options.

Blurb: Laryngeal hypersensitivity is an umbrella term that includes conditions such as inducible laryngeal obstruction, chronic cough, and throat discomfort—all of which can impact swallowing. These symptoms are often under-recognised or misdiagnosed as other conditions, leading to poor clinical outcomes and inappropriate care. The role of the Speech and Language Therapist is crucial in this population; however, limited awareness of these conditions highlights the need for greater recognition. This webinar will define laryngeal hypersensitivity, outline the role of the Speech and Language Therapist, review the current evidence base—particularly in relation to children—and consider ways to overcome the challenges children face in accessing appropriate care.

Presenter 1 Bio: Lizzie (she/her) is a Speech and Language Therapist at Evelina London Children's Hospital. She qualified from UCL in 1999 and completed an MSc at City University in 2008. For the past 20 years she's specialised in complex airways and ENT, working with children with tracheostomies and voice disorders. She's worked at Evelina London Children's Hospital for 15 years . She is now Head of Paediatric SLT but continues to work clinically in MDT and SLT Voice Clinics. Lizzie is kept busy by her two children and loves soaking up London life.

Presenter 2 Bio: Chelsea (she/ her) qualified from University of Cape Town in 2014. Since then she has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist in a variety of paediatric settings and for the past 4 years has specialised in complex airway, tracheostomy and voice. She co-ordinates the education programme within the Speech and Language Therapy department and is the lead for tracheostomy competency development of staff within the department. Chelsea loves cooking, pottering in her house and local London areas, and loves to dance.

Relevant for: Community Speech and Language Therapists, Student Speech and Language Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, Medical Professionals

Fees

£10.00 per webinar for external delegates

Free for internal Guy's and St Thomas' Staff (GSTT) staff.

Booking Queries

Evelina Education team

e: GSTT.EvelinaEducation1@nhs.net

t: 020 718 80853 (office) | 07785994659 (Samuel Lewis)