ABSTRACT
In the UK this protracted and, for some, painful process is now virtually complete, with
a total of 10 centres (excluding Scotland) undertaking primary surgery on a minimum
of 80 new cases of cleft lip and/or palate per year. Within each centre highly-trained
specialist speech and language therapists offer assessment and therapy for their
population. They also network with link therapists in their region, who may attend local
multidisciplinary clinics, undertake early screening and carry out a significant amount
of therapy. It would be impractical for all therapy to be concentrated at the surgical
centre, even though parents are prepared to travel for surgery a few times during
childhood, regular speech therapy sessions (or orthodontic sessions) 50 or more miles
from home would be an unreasonable burden. It is therefore important that a network
of therapists who can acquire a level of specialism is attached to each surgical centre.
link and local therapists with the specialist skills that they need.
