LONDON, October 22 /PRNewswire/ --

- Unite Survey Reveals Longer Waiting Times and Stressed Workforce

The speech and language therapy service is 'heading towards crisis', a new survey of the profession by Unite, the largest union in the country, has revealed.

Unite, which represents 5,500 speech and language therapists (SALTS) and SALT assistants, said that this means longer waiting and referral times for patients and clients, while the workforce becomes more stressed and demoralised.

Unite's Lead Officer for SALT members, Fiona Farmer said: 'The survey of our reps paints a service heading towards crisis, with our members having to introduce priority lists and preside over a decline in specialist services.'

'We want SALT services to be retained in the NHS - not privatised. Money should be spent on clinical services, not administration, so-called restructuring and the time-consuming internal commissioning process.'

'Unite wants specialist posts and services to be maintained and for there to be more investment in training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD).'

'Our members are also very unhappy at the government's imposed three-year pay deal totalling 7.99% when inflation is currently at 5.2%. They will have a chance to express their discontent on the pay issue when Unite ballots its members on industrial action in the NHS, starting on 28 October.'

The survey of Unite's reps which also took into account the members they represent revealed:

- 98% reported that their job left them feeling stressed - 80% thought the pay deal was not enough - 69% felt that job cuts had impacted on service provision - 63% reported lower morale amongst SALTs from a year ago - 63% reported an increase in their workload from 18 months ago

Fiona Farmer said: 'There is a feeling that the SALT service, relied on by so many, is becoming a forgotten service. Unite is calling on ministers to take note of these feelings and start to reverse this situation.'

- In July, Unite welcomed the Bercow report into children with speech and language difficulties. The report highlighted the current 'postcode lottery' in services experienced by many families.

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:

- Unite is holding a ballot of all its NHS members between 28 October and 12 November asking them if they wish to vote for industrial action, including strike action, in protest at the government's three-year pay deal.

For further information, please ring: Fiona Farmer, +44(0)7768-931-307; Karen Reay, National Officer, Health, Unite, +44(0)7798-531-004; David Fleming, National Officer, Health, Unite, +44(0)7798-531013; Shaun Noble, Communications Officer, +44(0)20-7420-8951 (direct line), +44(0)7768-693-940 (mobile)