Clare Gregory

Biography

Clare Gregory BSc SLT Hons, HCPC and RCSLT registered is the Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) for Reading. She adopts a holistic and individual approach and will see patients prior to their radiotherapy treatment to assess pre-treatment communication and eating and drinking abilities.  Provide instruction about prophylactic exercises and personalized advice about managing changes in communication, eating and drinking abilities. There is evidence that pre-treatment exercises improve metabolic reserve capacity of the muscles and tissues (King et al 2016). They also help to reduce trismus a common side effect of head and neck cancer treatments and disease.

Throughout treatment Clare helps patients to maintain eating and drinking functions wherever possible.  And works with the team, if there are any aspiration concerns and supporting in the management of these.

Following treatment, Clare provides intensive exercise program to support Patients to optimise communication and eating and drinking functions.  (E.g. By means of McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP), once acute pain, mucositis and oedema reduces.).  Clare will liaise with the local SLT team if a patient has ongoing SLT needs that would be best managed in conjunction with their local therapy team.

Qualifications

• BSc SLT Hons
• HCPC
• RCSLT

Declaration

1. Clare Gregory does not hold a share or financial interest in the Rutherford Cancer Centres or another Rutherford Health plc company.
2. Clare Gregory does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at the Rutherford Cancer Centres or another Rutherford Health plc company.
3. Clare Gregory does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at the Rutherford Cancer Centres or on behalf of Rutherford Cancer Centres or Rutherford Health plc.