11 March 2025
The updated guidance on eating, drinking and swallowing replaces our previous dysphagia guidance.
SLTs play a key role in assessing and identifying any eating, drinking and swallowing (EDS) difficulties, which can happen to anyone of any age. Our new EDS guidance provides clinical level guidance for practicing SLTs and covers a range of topics including the impact of EDS difficulties, EDS assessment and SLT intervention and management.
Guidance for the public has also been published for those who may benefit from increasing their understanding of EDS difficulties, the impact of these and the role of speech and language therapy.
In addition to the web based guidance, a new speech and language therapist eating, drinking and swallowing competency framework has been developed to provide support to SLTs working in EDS throughout their careers. There is also an assessable competency framework aimed at carers and other professionals working with people with dysphagia.
The new resources page provides signposting to other relevant guidelines which are available on the topic (such as the NICE guidelines), relevant national legislation, policy and frameworks and eLearning opportunities.
