Louise Occomore-Kent
Contact details
About
Overview
Louise Occomore-Kent is a Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) at City St George's, University of London and is Senior Fellow of Advance HE. She is currently a Doctoral Researcher and is Co-Lead on the ALPS-HN Programme Development Grant which is hosted at the Royal Marsden Hospital and funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Louise teaches pre- and post- registration SLT students on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the Department of Language and Communication Science (LCS), School of Health and Psychological Sciences (SHPS). Her teaching areas include:
- Voice disorders and Dysphagia (Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Disorders)
- Biomedical Science (Head and Neck anatomy and physiology/ tracheostomy/ laryngectomy/ head and neck cancer)
- Professional Studies
Louise is a HCPC and RCSLT registered Speech and Language Therapist and maintains close links with practice. She was Strategic Practice Lead for Allied Health in SHPS from June 2023-October 2024.
Louise has been working with adults with communication and swallowing impairments since 2006, most recently specialising in head and neck cancer, oncology and ENT/ voice disorders since 2008 as well as clinical leadership and service management in her previous role as Clinical Lead for Head and Neck/ENT SLT at Barts Health NHS Trust. She continues to hold an honorary contract there.
Louise has a research interest in novel models of SLT service delivery in head and neck cancer for which she was awarded an Innovation in Healthcare Award from Queen Mary, University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust. She supervises a range of pre- and post-registration student research projects in both her clinical area and in SLT education.
Louise is a member of the Voice and Head and Neck RCSLT Clinical Excellence Networks. She was previously committee secretary for the Adult Acquired Dysphagia Clinical Excellence Network (2010-2014). She is a member of the NIHR ENT SLT Subgroup (STENT).
Qualifications
- Senior Fellowship, Advance HE, United Kingdom, May 2023
- MSc Speech and Language Sciences, University College London, United Kingdom, September 2004 - August 2006
- BA Linguistics, University College London, United Kingdom, September 2000 - June 2003
Employment
- Senior Lecturer, City, University of London, United Kingdom, July 2023 - present
- Strategic Practice Lead (AHP), City, University of London, United Kingdom, June 2023 - October 2024
- Lecturer, City, University of London, United Kingdom, January 2017 - July 2023
Awards
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School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City University of London (2022). Health's Got Talent Awards winner
Presentation at awards ceremony forming part of a team entry by the Division of Language and Communication Science on the topic of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity. -
City, University of London's School of Health and Psychological Sciences Student Experience Committee (2022). Staff Enhancement of Student Experience Award
Louise has been outstanding as a teacher this year. She has inspired me to go into an area of the profession that I never previously thought I would want to go into. Her classes are absolutely fantastic, and all of her students talk about how amazing she is. She has also been extremely supportive during a difficult time which I can’t thank her enough for.’ -
City Students' Union (2022). Teaching Excellent Award
Teaching Excellence Award, School of Health Sciences, Honorable Mention -
Queen Mary, University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust (2013). Innovation in Healthcare Award
Awarded for successfully piloting and implementing a weekly SLT service in the radiotherapy clinic at St Bartholomew's Hospital for head and neck cancer patients leading to improved patient outcomes and cost effectiveness.
Publications
Publications by category
Journal articles (7)
- Occomore-Kent, L.C., Stavropoulou, C., Ward, E.C., Elkington, C., Hardman, J.C., Patterson, J.M.... Cruice, M. (2025). Training and competency frameworks used in the preparation of healthcare professionals for head and neck cancer screening: A scoping review protocol. PLOS One, 20(9), pp. e0330664-e0330664. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0330664
- Sparks, F., Coffey, M., Dipper, L., Crowther, J., Hamilton, S., Occomore‐Kent, L.... Hilari, K. (2025). Expiratory Muscle Strength Training to Improve Voice and Respiratory Outcomes After Laryngectomy: A Feasibility Study. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 60(5). doi:10.1111/1460-6984.70107
- Occomore‐Kent, L.C., Hardman, J.C., Roe, J.W.G., Bradley, P., Carding, P.N. and Patterson, J.M. (2025). 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. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 60(1). doi:10.1111/1460-6984.13137
- Occomore‐Kent, L.C., Hatch, E. and Cruice, M. (2021). Scoping opinion: Speech and language therapists’ views on extending their role to the urgent ear, nose and throat pathway. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 56(5), pp. 975-988. doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12650
- Occomore-Kent, L. and Slade, S. (2021). Speech and language therapy assessment of patients on the 2-week wait head and neck cancer referral pathway: evidence and opinion following a pilot study. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery, 29(3), pp. 179-186. doi:10.1097/moo.0000000000000713
- Occomore, L. and Knight, Z. (2015). A weekly speech and language therapy service for head and neck radiotherapy patients during treatment: maximizing accessibility and efficiency. The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, 13(7), pp. 248-255. doi:10.12788/jcso.0149
- Morgan, A.T., Liegeois, F. and Occomore, L. (2007). Electropalatography treatment for articulation impairment in children with dysarthria post-traumatic brain injury. Brain Injury, 21(11), pp. 1183-1193. doi:10.1080/02699050701649573
Professional activities
Events/conferences (6)
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Learning at City Conference. (Conference) City, University of London (2022).
Paper: Evaluation of a novel video-based learning tool for teaching a fundamental voice technique to student Speech and Language Therapists
Author: Occomore-Kent, L -
BAHNO Conference. (Conference) Royal College of Physicians (2022).
Paper: ENTs’ opinions of a SLT clinic model for low risk two week wait (2ww) patients with dysphonia and dysphagia
Author: Occomore-Kent, L; Hardman, J (co- first authors)
Co-authors: Roe, J., Bradley, P., Carding, P. & Patterson, J.M. -
Are we making the most of our head and neck MDT? Extending scope of practice and improving quality of care. (Conference) International virtual conference, British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists (2020). Invited speaker.
Paper: Extending Scope in SLT: should we assess 2ww patients? - Cutting Edge Laryngology. (Conference) Royal College of Surgeons (2016). Invited speaker.
- International Head and Neck Cancer Quality of Life Conference. (Conference) (2014).
- UK Swallowing Research Group Conference. (Conference) (2012). Invited speaker.
Radio programme
- Just Life. Radio Maria (2022). 1 hour programme focusing on the voice: how it works, what can go wrong, and how to take care of your voice including public call-in.
Other
- IJLCD Podcast , Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (January 2022).