One Voice: Award-Winning Community Laryngectomy Service Recognised for Innovation

The North East London Cancer Alliance is delighted to celebrate the success of the One Voice community laryngectomy service, which has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to cancer care.

Led by Rhiannon Haag, Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist, and Michelle Coleman, Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist at North East London NHS Foundation Trust, the service was recognised for its innovative approach to supporting people before and after laryngectomy surgery.

One Voice is the UK's first comprehensive domiciliary laryngectomy service, co-produced with patients to ensure people receive personalised support throughout their recovery journey. Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and continually refined through collaboration with service users and healthcare partners, the programme has transformed care by bringing specialist support directly into patients' homes.

The service has significantly improved access to care, reduced waiting times, enhanced patient independence and engagement, and promoted greater environmental sustainability. It has also strengthened the transition from hospital to home, improved primary care support, and established a holistic, lifelong communication therapy pathway for people living with a laryngectomy.

The impact of the programme extends beyond North East London, influencing wider system training, inspiring new research and community initiatives, and being shared nationally as an example of best practice.

The judges praised the programme, commenting On how impressed they were by "how the team addressed a clear service gap to deliver improved patient engagement and independence, inspiring new research and community service projects across the UK"

Reflecting on the recognition, Michelle Coleman, Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, said: 

"The acknowledgement of the work alone is amazing, but it helps us pave the way for further innovation and change and makes me excited to go to work in the morning"

Congratulations to Rhiannon, Michelle and the entire One Voice team on this well deserved recognition. Their commitment to co- producing services with patients continues to improve outcomes and shape the future of laryngectomy care, both across North East London and nationally.