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My name is Penny Gravill and I set up The Specialist Speech Therapy Practice having worked for many years within the NHS and as a sole independent practitioner.

I qualified as a Speech and Language therapist (SLT) over 30 years ago and am HCPC registered. I am also a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) and the RCSLT advisor in the specialist field of facial palsy.

My career started with a generalist post gaining experience in children’s communication problems as well as adult SLT work. I then moved into adult work in stroke rehabilitation before choosing to specialise in the field of neurosciences in 1994. I began doing independent work in 2007 with The Lindens Clinic treating facial palsy and continue to work in both the NHS as well as in independent practice. The value of the multidisciplinary team and working with other specialisms as well as the family/carers cannot be underestimated in both settings.

In partnership with The Lindens Clinic, I lead their London Facial Palsy Clinics 4 times a year. I also participate in regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and collaborative working in Manchester with the rest of the specialist facial palsy team.

In London, The Specialist Speech Therapy Practice works in collaboration with a specialist independent neuro-rehab company, Linguistic Resolutions Ltd, led by SLT Sally Ghibaldan. This allows us to offer our patients the most tailored and expert treatment options available.

I have an active interest in undergraduate training and worked as a clinical educator and examiner for the University of Ulster from 2006 to 2014.

I am actively involved in ongoing facial palsy research projects in conjunction with colleagues at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and lead a support group for people with facial palsy “F@cevalue” in Aberdeen as well as offering support to FacialPalsy UK.

My name is Shaunagh Farragher and I was delighted to become an associate of The Specialist Speech Therapy Practice in 2019. I am a registered member of the HCPC and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and have studied at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. I was awarded an honours degree in Psychology from the University of Aberdeen and following a couple of years of travelling, I then went on to complete a Masters (MSc) in Speech and Language Therapy at the Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.

My clinical career started in the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where I worked in various teams including the stroke team and neurosciences team. During my time there, I worked with Penny Gravill and began my training in the assessment and management of facial nerve palsy which has since become a specialist area of interest for me. Working with Penny, I gained invaluable experience assessing and managing cases of facial palsy arising from a wide range of conditions, (e.g. Bell’s palsy, Acoustic Neuroma etc.) and was involved in the running of the F@cevalue support group in Aberdeen.

I relocated to Belfast in 2019 to be closer to family where I set up the SSTP Belfast Clinic in the Elmwood Physiotherapy Clinic on the Lisburn Road. I also started working for the Belfast HSC Trust in various acute care services, including the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre before commencing my current role as a Senior Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in stroke services, based in the Royal Victoria Hospital. I have vast experience in managing complex swallowing difficulties as well as a broad range of communication impairments and am passionate about evidence based, effective therapy that is tailored specifically to each client.

My name is Fergus McGlone and I have been practising as an SLT since 2015.  I am a fully certified member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists and registered with the HCPC. 

Following six years serving as a Gunnery Officer in the Royal Navy, I trained at the University of Strathclyde and qualified as a Speech & Language Therapist in 2014.  Initially I worked in community paediatrics based in Perth and then transferred to become an adult therapist at the York Hospital working mainly with stroke and voice caseloads.

I qualified as a dysphagia practitioner in 2016 before moving to the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy with NHS FIFE where I worked across the acute hospital setting, including hospital admissions, general wards, surgical, intensive care, and the hospice.  I have a wide-ranging experience of managing and supporting patients with complex swallowing and communication disorders. 

I also held additional responsibility for providing the Voice Clinic service for Kirkcaldy & Glenrothes, continuing my interest in this specialised area.

During my years as an SLT I had a particular interest in the provision of training.  Primarily to my clinical colleagues and students but also Voice Care Workshops to those who are at higher risk of developing problems with their voice.  I also regularly acted as a clinical placement educator for SLT students under training. 

After six years working fulltime in the NHS the call of the sea was too strong and so I returned, now working with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution as the fulltime Coxswain of the Peterhead Lifeboat.  I am also an active RYA Motor Cruising and Advanced Powerboat Instructor.  However, I still support my NHS colleagues working as a locum SLT in North East Scotland with NHS GRAMPIAN. 

I am delighted to have been invited to be an associated practitioner with Specialist Speech Therapy Practice.

Where We Are

Specialist Speech Therapy Practice Ltd

Keir House, Balmedie, Aberdeen AB23 8XR

 

Call on 07580 637825

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Don't let a speech issue direct your life, talk to us...

"Her (Penny) emotional support also played a great role in my recovery. I am 100% satisfied with Penny and would definitely recommend her who is seeking help with facial palsy."

Patient preferred to remain anonymous

"Penny's support, encouragement and expertise helped me tremendously. Quite honestly I couldn't have achieved the results I have without her. I will be forever grateful!"

S Stewart

Thanks to you my mum improved greatly. It has been noticed her voice is louder than before.

Raphael