The Team
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Meet the Team
Behind every appointment, operation and milestone, there’s a dedicated team working together to support your care.
The Northwest Cleft Lip and Palate Service is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, all with expertise in treating and supporting children, young people and adults born with a cleft lip and/or palate.
We work together, and with you, to make sure you get the right care, at the right time.
Who We Are
Depending on where you are in your journey, you may meet a variety of professionals. Here’s who they are and what they do:
Cleft Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)
Your first point of contact for practical support and reassurance, especially around feeding, early care and appointments. Our nurses often meet families shortly after diagnosis and remain a constant point of contact.
Cleft Surgeons
Our experienced surgeons carry out procedures to repair cleft lips and palates, and work closely with the wider team to support healing, appearance and function. They’ll explain what to expect and answer all your questions before and after surgery.
Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs)
Speech and communication are key priorities throughout the cleft journey. Our SLTs assess your child’s speech at key stages and provide fun, effective therapy where needed.
Clinical Psychologists
Living with a cleft can bring emotional, social or confidence challenges. Our psychologists are here to help children, young people and families navigate difficult feelings, anxieties or transitions in care.
Orthodontists and Paediatric Dentists
As children grow, dental and orthodontic needs become more important. Our team supports tooth alignment, jaw development, and lifelong oral hygiene — often working together before or after surgery.
Audiologists and ENT Specialists
Cleft conditions can sometimes affect hearing. Our team monitors this closely, offering hearing tests and arranging treatments (such as grommets) where needed.
Admin and Care Coordination Team
Our admin team helps schedule your appointments, coordinate care across locations, and answer any questions about logistics or communications. They’re here to help everything run smoothly.
Working Together for You
We meet regularly as a full team to review care plans, share expertise, and make joint decisions. This way, you benefit from the knowledge of every specialist, even if you don’t meet them all face to face.
Your child’s care is supported by a multidisciplinary cleft team that includes Clinical Nurse Specialists, surgeons, speech and language therapists, psychologists, orthodontists, paediatric dentists, audiologists, ENT specialists, and administrative staff. Each professional plays a key role in supporting different stages of treatment.
Clinical Nurse Specialists are often the first point of contact for families. They offer practical guidance around feeding, early care and appointments, and provide ongoing support throughout the early stages of the cleft journey.
Cleft surgeons carry out the procedures to repair cleft lips and palates. They explain what to expect before and after surgery, answer your questions, and work closely with the wider team to support healing, appearance and function.
Speech and language therapists assess speech development at key ages and offer therapy when needed. Clinical psychologists support emotional and social wellbeing, helping children and families manage worries, confidence issues or transitions during treatment.
The cleft team meets regularly to review care plans and share expertise. This joined-up approach ensures every child benefits from the knowledge of all specialists, even if they do not meet every member of the team in person.