The role of the Dysphagia Support Team in the Northern Health & Social Care Trust is to improve the safety and quality of care and services received by people living with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties and their carers. They also strive to improve awareness of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties within the community.

They would like to ensure that people with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, and those who care for them, are at the centre of their work. They are looking for any community or voluntary organisations or people with lived experience of swallowing difficulties to help them understand what matters most.

 

There is no specific time commitment required but they may get in contact with you to ask if you would be willing to:

  • Work with them to co-produce information leaflets, booklets or websites
  • Review and give feedback on information they produce to ensure their leaflets, booklets or websites are accessible to those who use their services
  • Give your views on how to improve care delivered to people with swallowing problems within Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

You can help be involved in the production of materials such as this: Hard to Swallow Book 03_23 FINAL 3_0.pdf (hscni.net)

If you have experience of living with an eating, drinking or swallowing difficulty (or caring for someone who does) and would like to get involved, please get in touch. Please send your name and contact details to: dysphagia.supportteam@northerntrust.hscni.net

They will use this information to get in touch with you about any opportunities to get involved in the next 12 months.

 

Alternatively you can contact them via telephone:

Louise O’Neill (NHSCT Dysphagia Co-Ordinator and Support Team Lead) – 07747457013

Jemma Jackson (Dysphagia Specialist Dietitian) – 07584396260

Early Diagnosis is Key #CatchItEarly

Oesophageal cancer like many other cancers does not discriminate between age or sex and knowing and recognising the signs and symptoms are crucial to early diagnosis.  If you suffer from any of the following symptoms for longer than 3 weeks you should consult your doctor.

  • Persistent Indigestion
  • Difficulty swallowing or food sticking
  • Heartburn acid reflux
  • Hiccupping that wont go away
  • Unexplained weight loss.

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