What is FEES?

A small camera is placed inside your nose. This lets the speech and language therapist see inside your throat. The camera is connected to a screen.

Why do I need a FEES?

Your speech and language therapist wants to know more about your swallowing. Food and drink can go down the wrong way and into your lungs, which can make you ill. The camera will show what you can eat and drink safely.

Where is it?

Your appointment will be at the Thomas Linacre Centre.

Who will be there?

• Speech and Language Therapists
• Sometimes a doctor or nurse
• Students may be present
• You can bring someone from your family or a friend
• A member of staff can come with you

How long will it take?

The appointment will take about 30 minutes.

What should I do before the FEES?

• You can eat and drink or take your feed as recommended.
• You can take your tablets as normal.

What will happen?

You will sit down, and a small camera will be placed inside your nose. You may be asked to say some sounds, swallow your saliva, and eat and drink. The food and drink might have been dyed blue so we can see it better.

Results

The speech and language therapist will look at the pictures and tell you what to eat and drink. They will send a report to your doctor.

Risks

• There is a small risk of nose bleeds.
• There is a small risk of fainting.

If you don’t have a FEES?

The speech and Language Therapist will not know how to help you swallow safely. You can choose not to have the FEES.

Other Information

Tell the speech and language Therapist if you have any allergies. You can ask your speech and language therapist if you have any questions.

Contact Speech and Language Therapy Department:

• Telephone Number: 03007077700
• Email: wwl-tr.nutritionandspeechtherapy@nhs.net

Comments, Compliments or Complaints

The Patient Relations/Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Department provides confidential on the spot advice, information, and support to patients, relatives, friends, and carers.

Contact Us:

• Tel: 01942 822376 (Monday to Friday 9am until 4pm)
• The Patient Relations/PALS Manager
• Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
• Wigan Lane
• Wigan WN1 2NN

Ask 3 Questions

Become more involved in decisions about your healthcare. You may be asked to make choices about your treatment. To begin with, try to make sure you get the answers to three key questions:

1. What are my options?
2. What are the positives and negatives of each option for me?
3. How do I get support to help me make a decision that is right for me?

How We Use Your Information

For details on how we collect, use, and store the information we hold about you, please see patient information leaflet, Ref. Corp 006 How we use your information, available on the Patient Information Leaflets page on the Trust website. This leaflet is also available in audio, large print, Braille, and other languages upon request. For more information, please ask in the department/ward.