Speech and language therapist‐led clinics for low‐risk suspected head and neck cancer referrals: A qualitative study of ear, nose and throat surgeons’ views

What is already known on this subject During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a risk calculator tool was developed to identify patients at highest risk of cancer who were referred to the 2-week-wait (2ww) ENT pathway. These patients require urgent face to face ENT assessment. Lower risk patients with voice and swallowing difficulties still require management of their symptoms and an SLT-led clinic model is one potential solution for this population. While SLTs' views of this model have been explored with a UK-wide survey and focus groups, ENT surgeons' perspectives are yet to be investigated. What this study adds to the existing knowledge This study explores ENT surgeons' views regarding SLT-led clinics for patients who are referred through the 2ww ENT pathway, stratified as being at low risk of cancer, and with voice and/or swallowing symptoms of likely benign aetiology. Participants shared many positive perceptions of the clinic along with factors that they felt would enhance its success (facilitators). Key requirements for the success of this clinic model were also highlighted, along with challenges that need to be addressed. What are the practical and clinical implications of this work? The need for this clinic model varied by centre. However, general principles included the importance of a dedicated workforce with pre-existing relevant expertise; and a clear role profile, training process and competencies framework. Professional, statutory and regulatory bodies' recognition of the role is required, and robust evaluation of the model is necessary.