Rebecca Lantzos
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Speech-Language Therapy Critical Care Clinical Educator, Northern Region, Te Whatu Ora
Becky is the Speech-language Therapy critical care clinical educator for the Northern region, Te Whatu Ora. Becky grew up in South Wales, trained in the UK and moved to Aotearoa in February 2020. She has a range of experience across acute and community services with a primary clinical background in head and neck cancer/ENT. Her critical care experience has been within Imperial College Healthcare, London and Te Toka Tumai, Auckland.
Becky has a particular clinical interest in altered airway management. She leads the SLT national tracheostomy special interest group and recently co-authored a competency package for the profession. She is the expert advisor in head and neck cancer for the SLT professional body and supports SLTs across the motu with laryngectomy/surgical voice restoration service provision and training. Workforce development, sharing resources and national collaboration is a passion for Becky, particularly being part of a smaller professional group. Outside of work Becky enjoys spending time with her whānau- her partner and young son. She loves to get out hiking and experience the beautiful nature that is such a special part of Aotearoa. |
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“Don’t You Just Put People Nil By Mouth or On Thickened Fluids?” The Role of Speech and Language Therapy and All Things Tracheostomy
“Don’t you just put people NBM or on thickened fluids?”. This is a common misconception and outdated view of what Speech- language Therapists (SLTs) can offer. We have the knowledge and skills to assess, manage and rehabilitate a range of communication and swallowing impairments that patients can experience following critical illness and trauma. We are core members of the multi-disciplinary team working with people who have a tracheostomy and there is increasing evidence that SLT intervention can improve patient outcomes. In this talk we will provide an overview of the role of SLT in tracheostomy and how we can positively impact patient care. We will explore specialist tools and techniques for tracheostomy intervention in the context of a patient journey; focusing on how we facilitate early assessment and rehabilitation.
