Expert Advisor Speaker Series: From Screening to Standards - Building better dysphagia care across aged care and disability

 

The session will also introduce dysphagia screening as a simple, practical first step towards earlier identification and more consistent support. Drawing on real-world examples, Renee will discuss how screening, clear pathways, and sustainable systems can strengthen workforce capability, improve access to Speech-language Therapy, and ultimately enhance safety, dignity, and quality of life for the people we support so that our whānau can enjoy their kai and a kaputī! 

Renee is a Speech-language Therapist and Founder of Swallow & Speech Therapy Consultants, specialising in dysphagia care for long-term residential care facilities across the aged care and disability sectors.

 

Her career began as a Community Speech-language Therapist with Counties Manukau DHB, where she worked with adults with dysphagia and communication disorders while contributing to the Māori Allied Health Advisory Board. She has since served on the Executive Board of the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association (NZSTA) across the Māori & Cultural Development and Communications portfolios, taught as a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland, and currently serves as an Expert Advisor to both the Health and Disability Commissioner and NZSTA in long-term residential care across aged care and disability.

 

Renee partners with providers across Aotearoa to strengthen dysphagia and communication support by developing practical, person-centered systems that improve safety, workforce capability, and quality of life in everyday care.