I recently spoke at the ASLTIP annual conference on a local group project to review the quality of our record keeping. All Speech and Language Therapists are expected to be proactive in developing their knowledge, skills and clinical processes such as record keeping. As a local group we worked together to set up a shared audit, to confidentially review each other’s notes and discuss opportunities for improvement. We all found it a useful process, which dispelled the potentially intimidating connotations of the word ‘audit’. We were able to share our successes, talk through potential pitfalls and learn from each other.
Sharing the experience of our pilot audit with others, made me think more widely about the importance of accountability in our work. When working independently, it’s possible to work in isolation; however, my experience has been that working independently has extended my links, expanded my professional conversations and enabled me to learn and share with a far wider group of people than ever before. I endeavour to be accountable to those I work with. I work collaboratively to set goals for therapy, share progress with key adults and talk openly about my particular efforts to improve my everyday practice.
Speech and Language Therapists are held to high standards in order to maintain their professional registration through the HCPC. As the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists release the new Communicating Quality Live set of guidance and resources for the profession, it feels timely to celebrate everyone’s efforts in delivering high-quality services to those we support and to embrace our accountability.