Anyone know about waiting times for speech therapy in Dartford?

[beautifulgirls]

DD#1 has been assessed previously and started speech therapy today in Bexley. In between the assessment and starting the 4 weeks of therapy she has booked we have moved, but only down the road. However we have crossed the borough border into Dartford now and the Bexley SALT has told us that once we finish these 4 weeks we will have to transfer to Dartford for further sessions. She also said that we will probably have to join the waiting list there. I am really quite upset about it at the moment. It has taken us a year from first starting out with the health visitor referring us to get to be offered 4 weeks of therapy at this stage. Her problem is bad enough to warrant ongoing individual treatment and although we have been seeing a private SALT already prior to this NHS treatment, I don't feel it is fair to have to wait all over again. We are planning to continue the private sessions anyway, but I am having a hard enough time with her having these problems without needing this stress. Private sessions are not exactly cheap. Does anyone know more about the way the Dartford area speech therapy works with waiting at all? Anyone have any ideas that could help us ensure she is given the help she needs?
Many thanks

anyone? Pretty please

Have you tried to find the number for the speech therapy department in Dartford? The slt from Bexley should be able to give it to you. If you dont know how to contact her, you could try your hv or gp - the should all have the info. You can then ring the Dartford department and explain your situation, check that the Bexley therapist has transferred you and ask how long the waiting list is.

As you say, private therapy is not cheap - roughly £80 for an assessment session - you can find your nearest one on www.helpwithtalking.com

Good luck! Sorry no-one saw this message earlier

Thanks for replying - I did actually get the contact number from Bexley SLT and called Dartford last week - they are waiting on a report from Bexley (should be out in next few days as had last session with Bexley today) and then they will make appropriate appointments apparently. Looks like we will not have to wait much at all from what they said.

Brilliant! I work in a very busy slt department and it is really rare for chidlren to slip throught the net but it does happen occasioanlly and we wish the mum's had ring sooner to question where ther appointments are! We hate the long waiting lists too - very furstrating when we know how many children need appointments. V pleased you wont have to wait too long! All the best for your DD!

Followed up on this AGAIN today and they have told me that she is on the waiting list and that it is approx a year. I am fuming because I have waited for a year to get therapy started in Bexley and now we have to wait all over again to get started in Dartford. I have pointed out that she needs the help now, and should not be made to wait all over again. I am taking this higher now to see what can be done, but I am fuming right now about this. What was the point in getting a straight referral with recommendations for ongoing individual therapy from someone in the know. I think the nhs should be obliged to continue with her therapy in one or other of the sites at least. Bexley should not disown us until Dartford can take us, or Dartford should prioritise her. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Thank god we have a private therapist and can afford it (actually my parents are paying for us , but all in all this sucks.