Changes in referral to speech and language therapy.

This is a retrospective study of data collected on an information system, developed specifically for the use of speech and language therapists and used by eleven health care providers since 1985. Information prior to 1987 contain the artefacts of new technology and backload logging. Thus this paper reflects data from 1987 to 1995. Information on 70,000 clients amalgamated from these trusts allow us to reflect upon the changes in speech and language therapy over that period. The annual referral rate to these eleven trusts in 1987 was 4,129. The annual referral rate for the same trusts in 1995 had risen to 11,945. The percentage referrals per head of population per year varies between 0.32% and 0.58% of the population.