Opera singer helps aids patient treatment in Huddersfield

May 14 2009 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HOSPITAL bosses have come up with a novel way of helping patients overcome voice problems – by enlisting the help of an opera singer!

Retired singer Llyndall Trotman, who used to perform with the renowned national opera company Opera North, is helping patients at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.

She does this by offering specialist advice at the clinics, which are aimed at patients who rely on being able to project their voices.

Llyndall was invited to attend the clinics by consultant Graham Smelt, himself a long-standing member of Huddersfield and Halifax Choral Societies.

Speech therapist Gill Jolly, who has a longstanding interest in adult voice therapy, is also a member of the team based at Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax.

Mr Smelt said: “Because of the rich tradition of singing in this area there is a big demand for our services.

“ We have professional singers as well as singers in choral societies, light opera groups and amateur dramatic groups.

“Here we have a one-stop diagnostic clinic for people with complicated voice-related problems.

“We can help with a range of problems common amongst singers, including shortness of breath, hitting the top notes and problems with mid-range notes. Teachers also benefit from the help we can offer with voice projection.”

The team see cases of vocal nodules as well as sw