21 November 2024
RCSLT is conducting a project to agree the terms that will be most useful to SLTs when completing electronic patient records.
Across the UK, commitments have been made to adopt the UK version of an international structured clinical vocabulary called SNOMED CT in electronic patient record systems.
Some SLTs working in the NHS are now being asked to enter a ‘diagnosis’ from this system for every clinical contact and are finding that it does not have appropriate terms. The RCSLT wants to support members by requesting changes to SNOMED CT but needs the help of members to inform this work. It is hoped that taking a whole profession approach will:
- Ensure individual people’s care records are accurate
- Improve communication between different services and professionals
- Support the collection of data for service planning, monitoring and commissioning
- Provide consistent ‘real-world data’ which can be for research and advocacy
You can learn more about clinical terminology and what the RCSLT is doing in this area.
A proposed list of terms for diagnosis or description of the reason for speech and language therapy input has been developed with the input of members with an interest in this work.
We are now asking all members to review the list in the consultation document and complete a short feedback form by Friday 24 January 2025 to let us know whether the terms are suitable for their needs. We want to hear from all members: you do not need to work in the NHS, have prior knowledge of SNOMED CT, or be a specialist in a particular area to comment.
Read the consultation document
