• Skip to main content
  • Skip to navigation
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
Government of Western Australia Crest
Government of Western Australia
Government of Western Australia Crest

Additional Menu

  • Accessibility
  • Contact us
Go to WA Government search
  • About Us
    • Health Service Board
    • Executive
    • Our Vision and Values
      • Excellence Symposium
      • Values in Action Award
    • Strategic Planning
    • Work with Us
      • Vacancies
      • Careers at EMHS
      • Pay and Benefits
      • How to Join Us
      • Pathways to Working with Us
      • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
      • Multicultural Advisory Group
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Annual Reports
    • Accessing Records
      • Accessing Records via Freedom of Information
      • Accessing Records via the Mental Health Act
    • Governance
    • Contact Us
      • Compliments or complaints
      • Reporting Misconduct
  • Hospitals and Services
    • Aboriginal Health
      • Moorditj Djena – Strong Feet
      • Aboriginal Health Strategy
    • Hospitals
      • Armadale Health Service
      • Bentley Health Service
      • Byford Health Hub
      • Kalamunda Hospital
      • Royal Perth Hospital
      • St John of God Midland Public Hospital
    • Health Promotion
      • Overview
      • Alcohol
      • Nutrition
      • Obesity
      • Physical Activity
      • Smoking
    • Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs
      • Community Services
      • Inpatient and Other Services
    • Services
      • Aishwarya's CARE Call
      • Elective Surgery
      • EMHS Post COVID-19 Clinic
      • Home Hospital
      • Medihotels
      • Emergency Departments
      • Health Technology Management Unit
      • HIVE – Health in a Virtual Environment
      • Maternity Services
      • State Trauma Services
    • Parking at EMHS
    • Voluntary Assisted Dying
  • Patient Care
    • Safety and Quality
      • Preventing Complications in Hospital
      • Preventing Infections in Our Health Service
      • Caring for Our Mental Health Clients
      • Getting It Right the First Time
      • Learning for Patient Safety
      • Care Opinion
      • The Patient Experience
    • Partnering with Consumers
      • Consumer Advisory Committees
      • Volunteering
      • Wool-lar Aboriginal Volunteer Program
    • Choosing Wisely
    • Carers Charter
    • Patient Resources
    • Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
  • Health Professionals
    • Central Referral Service
    • Contracted Medical Practitioners
    • Library and Information Service
  • Innovation
  • Research
    • About Our Research
      • Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine
      • Cardiology
      • Cell & Tissue Therapies WA
      • Emergency Medicine
      • EMHS Bioengineering
      • Geriatric Medicine
      • Health in a Virtual Environment (HIVE)
      • RPH Cardiometabolic and Hypertension Service
      • RPH Gastroenterology and Hepatology
      • RPH Haematology
      • RPH Intensive Care Unit
      • RPH Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
      • RPH Nephrology - Renal
      • RPH Orthopaedic Surgery
      • RPH Respiratory Medicine
      • RPH Trauma Service
      • RPH Vascular Surgery
    • Research News
    • Research Strategy
    • For Researchers
      • Research Ethics and Governance Submissions
      • Ethics Information and Tips
      • Governance Information and Tips
      • Amendments and Safety Reports
      • Education, Training and Seminars
      • Grant Opportunities
      • Resources
    • Foundation and Network Partners
  • News
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. 2019
  4. 08
  5. RPBG Speech Pathology launches Primary Progressive Aphasia Therapy Group

RPBG Speech Pathology launches Primary Progressive Aphasia Therapy Group

RPBG Speech Pathology launches Primary Progressive Aphasia Therapy Group

Jonathan Rafols and Lara Rushton.
26/08/2019

Speech Pathology Week (25 - 31 August) seeks to promote the work done by speech pathologists with the more than 1.2 million Australians who have a communication disability which impacts on daily life. The theme for this year’s Speech Pathology Week is communicating with confidence.

To coincide with the beginning of Speech Pathology Week, the RPBG Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Therapy Group has launched at Bentley Health Service. The group will operate in conjunction with the RPH Neurology and Geriatric Medicine departments to treat diagnosed and suspected cases of PPA.

PPA is a language disturbance in which a person’s language ability slowly and progressively deteriorates over time. People suffering from PPA slowly lose the ability to speak, listen, read and write, eventually becoming unable to communicate.

The group is facilitated by Lara Rushton, BHS Speech Pathologist, and supported by Jonathan Rafols, the manager of BHS Speech Pathology. Consultant Neurology physician Dr Carolyn Orr was also instrumental in establishing the therapy group.

Initially, the group will consist of six participants attending a 10-week block of therapy with room to expand as the program progresses. Each session is designed to engage patients with the therapist and therapy activities are designed to maintain and improve communication skills. Patient’s carers will also be involved in the group, with emphasis on carer education and providing advice to carers around how to communicate with patients who have PPA.

For people suffering from PPA, language impairment is the primary symptom. Speech pathology plays an important role in assisting individuals with PPA and their carers cope and improving quality of life. As with any language disturbance, the frustration that comes with not being able to communicate is one of the most significant issues, one that this therapy group is designed to address.

Previous Next
Last Updated: 15/04/2021
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Acknowledgement of Country

East Metropolitan Health Service respects and acknowledges the Whadjuk people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, and of elders past and present.

Footer menu

  • wa.gov.au
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Brought to you by the Department of Health, Western Australia

© Government of Western Australia 2018 to