Gillian Rudd
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gillianrudd.bsky.social
Gillian Rudd
@gillianrudd.bsky.social
220 followers 260 following 31 posts
Speech & Language Therapist; Joint Course Lead MSc SLT at BCU; RCSLT PPPC member; DHealth candidate (#WaitUpSLT); Lily Mae Foundation Trustee; Parent.Views own. #bskySPEECHIES
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gillianrudd.bsky.social
What a privilege to be chairing two brilliant #RCSLTConf25 sessions today on:
⭐ Paediatric assessment and intervention with @vanigupta.bsky.social, Steph Scott and Dr Jenna Charlton
⭐ Working with people who stammer with Sarah Caughter and Dr Ronan Miller (and me)
November 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
peterdjust.bsky.social
🚨With the Budget just a day away, some quotes from ministers and NICE over the past few months which kind of highlight why the Govt needs to #InvestInSLT and publish its SLT Action Plan.

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“Speech and language therapists break down communication barriers, unlocking learning, inclusion, and opportunity for every child. They play a critical role in early intervention for children and young people.” Georgia Gould, education minister, September 2025 Quote by Dr Zubir Ahmed, UK Minister for Health Innovation and Safety, November 2025: ‘We recognise the impact that long waits to access speech and language and occupational therapy can have on the individual, their families and carers. We are working closely with NHS England to improve access to community health services and on actions to reduce long waits for people of all ages.’ Quote by Baroness Merron, UK Minister for Women's Health and Mental Health, November 2025: ‘The Government recognises the important role that speech and language therapy services play in supporting people to overcome health and social barriers and enhancing overall quality of life.’ Extract on guideline on rehabilitation for chronic neurological disorders including acquired brain injury: ‘Improved speech, language and communication may also increase participation in education and employment offering broader social and economic benefits.’
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
waitupslt.bsky.social
New #WaitUpSLT blog post:
What to do if you are unhappy with the wait for children's speech and language therapy in England.
waitupslt.blogspot.com/2025/11/what...
What to do if you are unhappy with the wait for children's speech and language therapy (SLT)
In the last blog post, I talked about what to do whilst waiting for speech and language therapy for your child . I hope that the recommended...
waitupslt.blogspot.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
peterdjust.bsky.social
📋 You can read the RCSLT's written evidence to the @hlautismactcom.parliament.uk on the link below.

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committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists (SLTs), speech and language therapy students and support workers, with more than 22,000 members across the UK.
committees.parliament.uk
November 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
peterdjust.bsky.social
🚨 The @hlautismactcom.parliament.uk has published its report.

🔍 The RCSLT's analysing the report but we're pleased to see:
1⃣ our evidence on speech, language, and communication quoted
2⃣ echoes of our #InclusiveParliament work

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committees.parliament.uk/committee/77...
New autism strategy must deliver change for autistic people - Committees - UK Parliament
This is the key conclusion reached by the House of Lords special inquiry committee on the Autism Act 2009 in its report ‘Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy’.&...
committees.parliament.uk
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
gillianrudd.bsky.social
Bit of DHealthing this afternoon with my little helper. @waitupslt.bsky.social #AcademicTwitter
November 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
waitupslt.bsky.social
"In September 2024, more than 64,000 children in England were waiting for SLT... Behind each number is a child struggling to communicate in the classroom, a young adult trying to rebuild their life after a brain injury..."

@sureenawne.bsky.social at the #InvestInSLT debate on 27 Jan 2025
On the right hand side of the picture is the official photo of Sureena Brackenridge, MP, smiling and looking at the camera and wearing a white top with a red blazer. On the left side is a quote that reads: "In September 2024, more than 64,000 children in England were waiting for speech and language therapy. In my Wolverhampton North East constituency, children and families are facing unacceptable delays and limited access. Behind each number is a child struggling to communicate in the classroom, a young adult trying to rebuild their life after a brain injury, or a stroke survivor who feels isolated because their voice has been taken away." Sureena Brackenridge, MP, at the Speech and Language Therapy debate on 27 Jan 2025
November 21, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
peterdjust.bsky.social
😊 As we always say, RCSLT couldn't do our policy & influencing work without our members or people who have had speech and language therapy. So, it's great to hear from Peter Bradley at the start of our all staff day, about his experiences and work with RCSLT Northern Ireland.
A PowerPoint slide featuring Peter Bradley.
November 18, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
peterdjust.bsky.social
📺 You can watch @gillianrudd.bsky.social's oral evidence to the Modernisation Committee on behalf of the #InclusiveParliament coalition on the link below.

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www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Parliamentlive.tv
Modernisation Committee
www.parliamentlive.tv
November 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
peterdjust.bsky.social
🚨 #InclusiveParliament coalition update

📨 Great for RCSLT to see @gillianrudd.bsky.social's letter to the Modernisation Committee after her oral evidence has been published: committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...

📰 There's more in STAMMA's news story:
stamma.org/about-us/new...

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Screenshot of a letter from Gillian Rudd to the House of Commons Modernisation Committee in July 2025 highlighting how Parliament can be made more accessible to people who sign or have communication disability, difficulty, or difference.
November 17, 2025 at 8:58 AM
gillianrudd.bsky.social
Coffee mornings for dead kids.
"Hospice care isn’t just about dignity at the end of life (though that should be enough). It’s about crisis prevention, family preservation, and economic sense."
A beautiful and important piece from Dan McEvoy
medium.com/p/coffee-mor...
Coffee Mornings for Dead Children: Britain’s Hospice Funding Crisis.
Elisa died on 4th January, around 10pm at Naomi House hospice. I want to focus on the moments between being told she was dying and her…
medium.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
spcialndsjungle.bsky.social
We're looking for a short-term volunteer with expertise in UK charity structures and law to help offer advice and practical support. Apply via Reach Volunteering reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp...
Expert in UK charity structures and law | Reach Volunteering
reachvolunteering.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
gillianrudd.bsky.social
"Recruitment is one side of the coin, but retention is the other."

During the #InvestInSLT debate on 27 Jan 2025, Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield, recognised the issues with burnout, insufficient support and unsustainable workloads in speech and language therapy.
November 8, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
spcialndsjungle.bsky.social
In 2022, SNJ carried out research into the experiences of families from ethnic and marginalised communities when asking for support for their disabled children. The results were very concerning: www.specialneedsjungle.com/c...
SNJ Report: The casual bias and daily discrimination faced by disabled children and t...
www.specialneedsjungle.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
gillianrudd.bsky.social
"How do the Government intend to alleviate pressure in this area? Do they intend to fund more places, especially at the university level? These are complex issues, and highly skilled people are needed."
@saqibbhattimp.bsky.social at the #InvestInSLT Speech and Language Therapy debate on 27 Jan 2025
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
meetdld.bsky.social
💜What does it mean if your sibling has DLD?
This books explains a diagnosis & gives them words to explain it to others.
💛 Looks at skills they have as a sibling & how to look after themselves.
💜 Available via online retailers.
My brother has DLD amzn.eu/d/8Hyb20V
My sister has DLD amzn.eu/d/dbF0oIT
November 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
gillianrudd.bsky.social
Kelly Williams is now sharing her experiences of stroke and aphasia and finding support and community at @mybcu.bsky.social She praises the help she has received from @claireslt.bsky.social and #SLTatBCU students. "6 years later I realise I still have a voice". #SLTeaParty
November 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
gillianrudd.bsky.social
Barry Butterworth is now sharing his experiences of stroke, aphasia and accessing speech and language therapy. He talks about his role at @mybcu.bsky.social as an Expert by Experience and praises the work of @claireslt.bsky.social particularly.
#SLTeaParty
November 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
gillianrudd.bsky.social
Presenting next at our #SLTeaParty is the fabulous Sara Uddin, #SLTatBCU student and BCUSALTSOC President. Sara's talk focuses on the importance of:
- Compassion
- Connection and community
- Awareness
- The future
Follow them on Insta: www.instagram.com/saltsocatbcu...
November 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
gillianrudd.bsky.social
Derek Munn from RCSLT is now speaking to attendees at our @mybcu.bsky.social #SLTeaParty on four themes:
- History
- Equality
- Birmingham
- The future
Derek reflects on the developments in the profession over time and how BCU fits in - we've been training SLTs for almost 60 years!
November 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
gillianrudd.bsky.social
The #SLTeaParty at @mybcu.bsky.social is underway! How wonderful to be celebrating 80 years of RCSLT with our staff, students and partners 🎉
November 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
waitupslt.bsky.social
The first #WaitUpSLT project advisory group meetings take place next month and it's not too late to join us.
If you'd like to read more about the project, the #WaitUpSLT blog is a good place to start: waitupslt.blogspot.com/2025/07/intr...
Please share to help spread the word 🙏
The image shows a poster advertising the WAIT-UP SLT research project and an opportunity to join advisory group. You can express an interest if you: ✅ are a parent/caregiver of a child or young person who has accessed children's speech and language therapy services in the last 3 years https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/bcu/waitupslt-pac-advisory-group or ✅ work within a SLT service in England as a service lead, SLT, SLTA, admin/clerical assistant or other associated role and have contact with families who experience waiting https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/bcu/waitupslt-slt-advisory-group
November 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
spcialndsjungle.bsky.social
Croydon Council pause EHCP speech and language therapy 'without telling parents'. Parents, please look into judicial review proceedings to ensure your child's SLT as written into their plan is upheld. SOS!SEN and IPSEA have info about JRs. www.mylondon.news/news/south...
'Croydon Council stopped SEND speech and language therapy for our kids without telling us' - My London
Croydon Council says new provision will be in place by November, but parents say poor communication has left them uncertain and losing trust
www.mylondon.news
October 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
spcialndsjungle.bsky.social
Recently on SNJ: How to choose a speech and language therapist for your child with SEND: A guide for parents and carer www.specialneedsjungle.com/c...
How to choose a speech and language therapist for your child with SEND: A guide for parents and carer - Special Needs Jungle
Special Needs Jungle provides parent-centred information, news, special needs resources and informed opinion about SEND - Special educational needs and disability, Education, Health and Care Plans, EHCPs, EOTAS, SEND Tribunal, children's mental health, rare disease, SEND politics
www.specialneedsjungle.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Gillian Rudd
gillianrudd.bsky.social
"Speech and language therapists are overstretched, underfunded and working in systems that fail to meet the demands of local needs."

Shockat Adam @shockatadam.bsky.social at the #InvestInSLT Speech and Language Therapy debate on 27 January 2025: hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025...
November 11, 2025 at 7:48 PM