Petition urges MSPs to save NHS speech therapy services

THE importance of speech and language therapy in the NHS should not be lost as part of financial cuts, MSPs have been warned.

A petition to the Scottish Parliament asked for services to be retained, and has won widespread support.

As part of the lobbying process, ministers were told of the difference the therapy made to various patients, including stroke victims and people with learning disabilities.

Kim Hartley, Scotland officer for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, said: "Living with speech and communication needs can have serious health and social impacts if high-quality support is not available.

"I am delighted by the support our petition has received from the public, from across Scotland, Europe and the USA.

"It is vital that Scotland continues to offer high-quality speech and language therapy services. This petition demonstrates the widespread support for these services and the significant public desire for Scotland's local authorities and NHS boards to continue delivering high levels of quality and accessibility."