Experts host Swallowing Awareness clinic at Derry's Altnagelvin today

Speech and Language Therapists in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) are highlighting Swallowing Awareness Day which takes place today (March 18 2026) and to raise awareness of how they help people living with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.

Eating, drinking and swallowing is an essential part of most people’s day and is often taken for granted, but for some people it is not that easy. Swallowing Awareness Day is a time to raise awareness of how Eating Drinking and Swallowing (EDS) difficulties impact on lives and to recognise the crucial role that speech and language therapists (SLTs) play in assessing, diagnosing and treating swallowing disorders to help those who are experiencing difficulties with eating drinking and swallowing.

Eileen Tomany, Western Trust Dysphagia Coordinator based at the South West Acute Hospital said: “Most of us don’t think about swallowing until there is a problem. Swallowing Awareness Day is about raising awareness of eating drinking and swallowing difficulties (Dysphagia) and helping people get the right support to eat and drink safely.

“Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, can result from a variety of conditions, including neurological disorders, stroke, or structural problems in the throat or oesophagus, which can make the act of eating and drinking challenging, and in some cases, dangerous.

Speech and Language Therapist Annie, who works with Adults with Learning Disabilities explains how she has helped two service users who attend Lackaghboy Day Centre, Diane and Alan. She said: “I came to visit Diane to support her with eating and swallowing. Diane sometimes experiences coughs and chest infections, which can make eating more difficult. When I visited Diane, she was having her lunch.

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"We noticed that sometimes eating can be a bit of hard work for her, and she may eat a little too quickly. Because of this, one of the recommendations is that Diane is supported at mealtimes. Staff can help by gently reminding her to slow down and take her time. With the right support in place, Diane can enjoy her meals more safely and comfortably.”

Annie continued: “I visited Alan because staff had noticed that drinking was becoming a bit difficult for him. When Alan was taking a drink, the cup could sometimes slip or get knocked away because of a tremor in his hands. Together, we looked at ways to make drinking easier and safer for him.

Alan, Annie and Diane, Lackaboy Day Centre

"Alan now uses a specialised cup with a lid. The lid helps prevent spills if the cup is knocked or dropped, which can sometimes happen. Small changes like this can make a big difference, helping people stay safe while also supporting their independence.”

Trust Speech and Language Therapists will be available at Swallow Awareness Stands in Altnagelvin Hospital on March 18 and South West Acute Hospital on March 19 to advise and provide information on Eating Drinking and Swallowing difficulties (Dysphagia)

If you have any queries about Dysphagia please contact; The Dysphagia Support Team 028 66382611/ EXT 253914 or via email DysphagiaST@westerntrust.hscni.net.