Sheffield dysphagia course

If you are looking to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to assess and manage adults with dysphagia, this course offers an exceptional opportunity to learn from nationally recognised experts in a supportive and highly practical environment. The five-day face-to-face programme has been specifically designed to take clinicians from understanding the normal swallow through to the assessment, management and ethical complexities of dysphagia practice, while supporting progression towards proficiency on the RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Framework. 

What sets this course apart is its blend of evidence-based teaching, practical workshops, multidisciplinary learning and real-world clinical application. Students benefit from interactive sessions, live FEES demonstrations, case-based discussions, hands-on IDDSI workshops and contributions from specialist clinicians across speech and language therapy, medicine, physiotherapy, dietetics and community services. 

The course also attracts clinicians from a wide range of NHS trusts, private providers and services across the UK providing valuable networking opportunities and the chance to learn alongside peers facing similar clinical challenges. Previous attendees highlighted the benefits of group work, discussion, shared problem-solving and multidisciplinary perspectives throughout the week which really enhanced their learning experience and growing confidence. 

The course is also open to non-Speech and Language Therapists who wish to practice dysphagia assessment and management in their role. We have supported nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians and occupational therapists to successfully pass the course and meet the requirements of level 5 on the Eating, Drinking, Swallowing Competency Framework. 

For clinicians wanting more than just a course, students can also register with Sheffield Hallam University and gain 30 master's level credits on successful completion of the assessment process. 

Whether you are developing dysphagia competencies, refreshing your knowledge or seeking a structured pathway to independent practice, this course provides the expertise, practical experience and confidence needed to enhance patient care and advance your professional development. 

You may wish to attend the five-day theory and obtain a certificate of attendance.  This can be helpful for anyone just wanting to learn more but not be assessed for competence or those wishing to refresh their knowledge for example after a break in service returning to the workplace.

Anita Smith

Head of Service, Speech & Language Therapy, BSc. MBA. MRCSLT

Anita Smith is the head of service at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and lead for the dysphagia course. She is an RCSLT advisor and UKSRG committee member and has recently been involved in the RCSLT pre and post registration guidance and competency updates. She has an extensive portfolio of training and presenting nationally and internationally. Her clinical specialism is instrumental assessment.

 

 

 

Kerry Hague

Operational Support Officer / Course Administrator

Kerry has been the Course Administrator for the Assessment and Management of Adults with Dysphagia for 3 years.  Please contact her for anything course related.

 

 

 

 

 

Ceri Robertson

Clinical Lead in SLT for Head & Neck

Ceri Robertson is Clinical Lead for Head and Neck Oncology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. She specialises in complex head and neck dysphagia management. She is an RCSLT Clinical Advisor for Head and Neck, Head and Neck CEN committee member and Lead Author of the RCSLT Head and Neck Guidance and Laryngectomy Competency Framework.

 

 

 

Amanda Forrester

Speech & Language Therapy Team Leader, B.Med.Sci (Speech) (hons) MRCSLT

Amanda specialises in working with patients with a tracheostomy plus/minus ventilation and Instrumental Dysphagia assessment including Videofluoroscopy and FEES.  She has lectured on the Post Basic Dysphagia Course since 2003 and has considerable experience of supervising students through the experiential period. 

 

 

 

 

Annie Jones

Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Annie is a highly specialist community Speech and Language Therapist in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. She has extensive experience in supporting patients in care homes as well as in their home environment to prevent admission to hospital. Annie is the lead for Enhanced Health in Care Homes.

 

 

 

 

Sabrina Eltringham

Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, BA (Hons), BMedSci, MSc Clin Res, PhD

Dr Sabrina Eltringham is a clinical academic and a Post Doctoral Research Fellow.  Her PhD research investigated how variation in assessment and management of dysphagia in acute stroke affects development of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP).  She has published extensively from her PhD.

 

 

 

Nicola Martindale

Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, BCs (Hons), PhD, MMedSci

Dr Nicola Martindale is a practising clinician who has specialised in the assessment and management of dysphagia and communication disorders post stroke.  Nicola has an active interest in advancing the evidence base for dysphagia management and has worked with colleagues on projects investigating the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the management of dysphagia.

 

 

 

Henna Khan

Specialist Mental Health Dietician, Sheffield Health & Partnership University Trust

Henna has a bachelor's in public health nutrition, MSc in Nutrition in practice, and a MSc in Dietetics and leadership. She has worked in the community Learning disabilities team with those at risk of malnutrition and with long-term tube feeds. She currently is a specialist Dietitian in mental health and eating disorders on the acute inpatient mental health wards, outpatient eating disorders clinic, mental health rehab wards and two complex dementia care homes within SHPU.

 

 

 

Hannah Gill

Speech & Language Therapist, Sheffield Community Learning Disability Team

Hannah graduated from Sheffield University as a Speech Therapist in 2013. Since graduating she has worked with adults with Learning Disabilities in a residential setting then in the Adult Learning Disability Team in Sheffield which is where she is currently based.  In this team Hannah’s caseload is primarily dysphagia, however, she also works on the communication assessment pathway and autism assessment pathway in the team.  I have also worked across Sheffield Health & Social Care’s inpatient mental health wards assessing and managing dysphagia, as well as setting up mandatory training for all inpatient staff on dysphagia awareness. 

 

 

 

Alison Clarke

Physiotherapist, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Alison is the manager of the Gait Laboratory Services at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield and a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist with over 35 years clinical experience.  Her current role at the Northern General Hospital includes involvement in research projects, providing a clinical gait analysis (CGA) service, running a regional functional electrical stimulation (FES) service, working in a spasticity management clinic and also neuro-rehabilitation outpatients.  She has an extensive background in the rehabilitation of people with many different neurological conditions, in numerous in and outpatient rehabilitation settings. 

 

 

 

Sharon English

Physiotherapist, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Sharon has worked at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals for over 30 years and is currently working covering neurosurgery, critical care and ENT.  She is part of the MDT involved in the tracheostomy ward round on neuro critical care, making decisions alongside SALT, nursing staff and anesthetists.  She has a particular interest in rehabilitation of acute neuro patients and her job involves carrying a complex case load as well as teaching and supervising more junior staff and students.

 

 

 

Alex Morley

Sheffield Hallam University

Alex is the Sheffield Hallam University tutor for the course.  If you have any University based queries you can contact her.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Natalie Jones

Clinical Academic Occupational Therapist

Natalie is a clinical academic Occupational Therapist with over 30 years of NHS experience. She holds a PhD in Stroke Research and an NIHR Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Sheffield. Her research focuses on stroke rehabilitation, digital technology, and primary care MDT working, with a special interest in eating and drinking difficulties after stroke.

Natalie has held senior leadership roles in primary care, including Allied Health Professional Clinical Lead for Sheffield GP Practices, and is an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. In 2023, she received the Chief AHP Officer’s Award for research contributions and a Merit Award from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists for leadership. Recognised for her expertise, compassion, and collaborative approach, she is widely regarded as a role model, mentor, and advocate for high-quality patient care.

 

 

 

Heather Elphick

Consultant Geriatrician, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Heather qualified from Oxford Medical School in 1995 and worked in Oxford, Chester, Nottingham and Newcastle as well as Australia and Zambia before commencing specialty training in Geriatric Medicine in South Yorkshire. 

Heather was appointed into her current role as Consultant Orthogeriatrician at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals in 2008.  Heather also has a masters in Medical Law and Ethics.

 

 

 

Emily Grayson

Registered Dental Nurse and Secondee Oral Health Advisor

Emily works as an oral health educator for Sheffield Oral Health Promotion Team, part of Community and Special Care Dental Services.  Emily predominantly works with older adults within special car remit but also with Residential Oral Care Sheffield (ROCS).  ROCS is a domiciliary dental care in care homes, Emily’s role is training the staff to support and maintain the residents oral health between dental visits. Emily works within the community to support groups and charities, advising on key oral health messages. 

 

 

 

Preston Walker & James Ball

OHK

Preston Walker & James Ball, OHK founders and active contributors to IDDSI UK and global Culinary IDDSI Reference Groups, bring over 30 years of combined experience in texture modification and culinary applications for modifying food. Trusted by care providers across the health and social care sector, they are highly regarded as experts that support their clients and customers.

Aims of the course: 

The aim of the course is to provide the opportunity for the student: 

Evaluate the concepts and theories of dysphagia  

Reflect on, and critically evaluate, the theories of normal eating and swallowing patterns 

Develop and implement strategies of management for adult patients presenting with eating and swallowing disorders 

Reflect on individual practice and decision making in dysphagia management 

Learning outcomes

The student will be able to: 

Critically review and evaluate current theories and concepts of normal and abnormal eating and swallowing. 

Critically assess swallowing patterns using a variety of methods, selecting appropriate methods of analysis for specific acquired disorders. 

Evaluate the efficacy of management strategies and principles applied to acquired disorders 

Investigate and critically review the ethical dilemmas involved in dysphagia and present findings as an assignment 

Through successful completion of the course, students will achieve the competencies at proficient level in the clinical pillar of the RCSLT EDS framework.

You may with to attend the five-day theory and obtain a certificate of attendance.  This can be helpful for anyone just wanting to learn more but not be assessed for competence or those wishing to refresh their knowledge for example after a break in service returning to the workplace.

Approach to learning and teaching 

Lectures will be structured with visual aids, interactive sessions and opportunities to work in groups applying knowledge through practical workshops and discussion groups. Students will undertake an experiential period of 80 hours of supervised practice to consolidate theory learning in their own work environment under the tutelage of an experienced dysphagia practitioner. Reflection is a key skill and is encouraged throughout the learning journey: 

Reflection before their actions e.g. planning of patient assessments and management 

Reflection in action as the student uses skills of analysis and interpretation during the patient contact.  

Reflection on action e.g. demonstrating retrospective reflection in the case study assignments and the final essay. 

All students attending the module are employed within the NHS or independent health care providers and hence come from settings where there is a strong emphasis on reflective clinical practice. The teaching, learning and assessment process incorporated on this module mirrors this culture. 

Further information

For more information please contact kerry.hague@nhs.net

Please click here to watch our information video

100% of students in April 26 cohort felt that the industry partners added value to the course.

We schedule sessions to bring students up to date information from leading industry partners. They may provide practical demonstrations, workshops or a tailored presentation. These sessions compliment the theoretical aspects of the course to help reinforce learning and bring the real world into the learning environment. We have worked closely with the following partners: 

In addition a highlight of the week is the IDDSI workshop facilitated by Preston Walker and James Ball from OHK. Preston Walker & James Ball, OHK founders and active contributors to IDDSI UK and global Culinary IDDSI Reference Groups, bring over 30 years of combined experience in texture modification and culinary applications for modifying food. Trusted by care providers across the health and social care sector, they are highly regarded as experts that support their clients and customers.

Applicants will normally possess a degree in a relevant health care profession. Equivalent qualifications and experience will be considered i.e. on the production of a reflective account of their learning and practice. 

The applicant must be working within a care area, which includes adults with acquired disorders. 

Minimal clinical dysphagia experience is required although pre-reg RCSLT competencies/foundation level on EDS framework or Level 2 of the EDSCF would be beneficial.

The applicant must identify their clinical supervisor prior to attendance on the taught days (guidelines are available for selection). 

The course maps to proficient level on the SLT Eating, Drinking, Swallowing Framework (March 2025)

For Non SLTs the course maps to level 5 on the Eating, Drinking, Swallowing Competency Framework (2020)  

Accredited by Sheffield Hallam University, this Level 7 course is designed for UK practitioners looking to build the skills and knowledge needed to assess and manage dysphagia independently. Dedicated entirely to dysphagia, the programme carries 30 masters-level credits and offers in-depth, practical learning to support safe, effective clinical practice. 

This course will operate as a unit within the Faculty of Health & Wellbeing and will be subject to the Quality Management and Enhancement Process within that award. Advice and moderation of assessment will be available through the course committee and moderating meetings. 

  • The 5 day programme costs £975 
  • This cost includes all resources and teaching materials 
  • Access to the Blackboard platform and SHU resources including the university library 
  • Refreshments throughout the day including morning pastries and afternoon snacks 
  • 2 course hot meal 
  • All allergy and food preferences can usually be catered for with prior notice, please inform of any dietary requirements on application 
  • There is always an early bird reduced rate for those planning ahead!  

Please use this form to apply for the course. Please complete all fields with as much detail as  possible as this information will be used to register you with SHU. If you have any questions please contact kerry.hague@nhs.net  

The Assessment & Management of Adults with Dysphagia Application Form