ASK Healthcare - Speech Pathology

13/05/2026

Rural outreach is at the heart of what we do at ASK Healthcare.

Erin and our team travel across regional and remote communities to provide face-to-face speech pathology services closer to home for adults, adolescents, and children. From early intervention and communication support, to swallowing, voice, cognitive-communication and neuro rehabilitation, we are passionate about making quality care accessible without families needing to travel long distances.

One of the best parts of rural outreach is the incredible people, places, and unexpected moments along the way - because sometimes outreach includes surprise kangaroo Joey cuddles too. 🦘

We feel incredibly lucky to work alongside these communities every day.

12/05/2026

12/05/2026

Welcome Bridie!

Bridie has been with us since March this year, mostly travelling between Gunnedah and Tamworth. She sees private, NDIS and Medicare paediatric clients. Visit our website for more information about Bridie, her experience and to complete a referral.

We are stoked to have her as part of our team!

18/03/2026

Swallow Awareness Day 2026!

Swallowing is something most of us take for granted - but for many people, it can be difficult, unsafe, and even life-threatening. This is known as dysphagia.

Dysphagia can occur due to conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neuron Disease, dementia, or general ageing. It can impact nutrition, hydration, and quality of life — and increase the risk of choking and chest infections.

At ASK Healthcare, we’re passionate about early identification, prevention, and evidence-based management of swallowing difficulties.

✔️ Comprehensive swallowing assessments (including mobile FEES)
✔️ Individualised mealtime management plans
✔️ Personalised rehabilitation programs
✔️ Support for carers and support teams
✔️ Ongoing monitoring for safety and quality of life

We bring specialist services directly to rural and remote communities — ensuring people can access high-quality care, right where they are.

If you or someone you support is experiencing coughing during meals, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss — don’t ignore it.

Early support makes all the difference.

17/03/2026

Welcome Erin! Our new Speech Pathologist here at ASK. Learn more about her here and on our website.

What inspired you to become a Speech Pathologist?
Being able to make a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives across the lifespan. Communication, speech, and swallowing are things many of us take for granted, yet they are so important for independence and overall wellbeing. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to support these needs in rural communities, where access to services can be limited.

What areas of practice are you most passionate about?
It’s hard to choose just one! I currently work across a mixed caseload, which allows me to support a wide range of people. My current areas of interest are early language development in paediatrics and dysphagia management for adults.

What do you love most about working in regional/rural healthcare?
The diversity of cases and the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life across different settings. Rural community-based speech pathology offers such variety, but what I love most is the strong sense of community and job satisfaction.

What’s one fun fact about you outside of work?
I enjoy relaxing with a paint-by-numbers when I’m not at work.

What are you most excited about joining ASK Healthcare?
I’m really excited to be part of such a knowledgeable and supportive team. The FEES service is particularly exciting to me, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see this incredible service in action.

23/12/2025

ASK Healthcare | 2025 Wrap-Up

We supported 226 clients across nursing homes, community settings, clinic, and private hospitals. 

Completed 52 FEES studies:
In clinic and in clients’ homes. 

Welcomed Steph to the ASK team (and wow… are we glad to have her). 

Celebrated a very special milestone:
ASK baby girl born in March. Welcome to the junior team, Primrose. 

Travelled 8,000+ km across our region:
Tamworth • Coonabarabran • Quirindi • Gunnedah • Boggabri • Narrabri • Barraba • Werris Creek

Alongside the many positives, we also pause to acknowledge the harder moments that come with the work we do.

Three very special long-term clients passed away this year. Clients we have supported, and who have taught us so much over the past two years; who became more like family; who gave meaning, perspective, and motivation to our work.

Ted, Edward and Tod - you all are deeply missed.
Our thoughts are with your beautiful families this festive season.
You remain in our hearts and continue to motivate us as we move into 2026.

Thank you to our clients, families, coordinators, and community for trusting ASK Healthcare and walking alongside us this year.

05/11/2025

We’ve just wrapped up an incredible 6-week final adult placement with two amazing Speech Pathology students from The University of Newcastle - what a journey it was!

From day one they jumped right into the heart of regional and rural practice. From supporting our FEES clinic, to complex community and sub-acute dysphagia management, voice, AAC, Language and cognitive-communication intervention, they have embraced every challenge with enthusiasm, curiosity, professionalism and more importantly, care for our valued clients.

It’s been a privilege to watch them grow in confidence, skill, clinical reasoning, while also bringing fresh ideas and a whole lot of heart and laughter to ASK Healthcare.

Thank you Erin and Sophie - your impact on our clients, team and community will last well beyond your 6-weeks with us.

Stay tuned… more highlights and reflections to come!

02/10/2025

Meet Erin & Sophie!

We’re excited to introduce our two amazing Speech Pathology students from Newcastle University, who have joined ASK Healthcare for their 6-week placements.

They’ll be diving into all things adult communication and swallowing, and have already been such an incredible support to our team.

If you have an appointment in the next few weeks, you might be lucky enough to see their smiling faces in action - and trust us, they’re fantastic!

Join us in welcoming Erin & Sophie to the ASK 🤗

29/08/2025

It’s a wrap for Speech Pathology Week 2025!

And what a way to finish - with a good news story straight from a client very dear to us here at ASK.

After her stroke, she faced some of her toughest challenges yet. But with courage, persistence, and the right support, she’s found her voice again - and her confidence to communicate.

Join us in thanking her for being so open in sharing her journey, helping spread awareness, and reminding us all of the power of connection through communication.

This is why we do what we do.

25/08/2025

This week we are celebrating Speech Pathology Week 2025!

At ASK, we see the REAL impact of communication everyday - from helping someone find their voice after diagnosis, to supporting independence, confidence, connection, and inclusion in the community.

Our mission is to make sure that no one in our community misses out on the opportunity to connect, participate and live well.

Let’s spread the word: Communication is everyone’s right.