Newborn Services and Neonatal Intensive Care
Saint Mary's Hospital
Newborn Services and NICU at Saint Mary's Hospital
Saint Mary’s Hospital is one of the UK’s leading centres for women’s and newborn care, combining clinical excellence with internationally recognised teaching and research. It works closely with the University of Manchester and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, creating a vibrant clinical‑academic environment. Saint Mary’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is one of the largest and busiest NICUs in the UK, with 69 cots, 19 ICU beds and cares for 1000 babies each year. The patients can range from 22-week extremely premature infants to post-term infants with complex surgical, cardiac or neurosurgical conditions. The NICU is well equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including integrated clinical monitoring and information systems. We provide care to babies requiring all aspects of intensive care support such as High frequency oscillation ventilation, Therapeutic cooling, exchange transfusion and peritoneal dialysis. Running across three sites, including 2 NNUs in North Manchester and Wythenshawe Hospital, the service looks after around 1800 babies annually. NBS in Manchester offers sub-speciality pathways at the cutting edge of genomic and surgical care and provides fellows and observers with rare opportunities to experience complex neonatal medicine in a globally respected academic centre.
Newborn services have a broad neonatal research portfolio with contribution from Local Neonatal units at North Manchester and Wythenshawe hospitals. Saint Mary’s has led on the PALOH study looking at point of care genetic testing for gentamicin induced ototoxicity.
Fellowships and observerships at Manchester Specialist Health Academy provide international clinicians with structured opportunities to experience high quality healthcare training within a leading NHS environment. Both pathways offer consultant oversight, a clear induction, and access to modern clinical settings that support a strong understanding of advanced patient care. Participants are welcomed into a professional community that encourages learning, collaboration, and engagement with the culture of Manchester.
While fellows take part in more in depth clinical development, gaining exposure to subspecialties, procedures and research, observers focus on shadowing and understanding multidisciplinary practice within NHS services. Both groups benefit from involvement in clinics, team discussions, and wider learning activities such as simulation sessions, CPD opportunities, and quality improvement insight.
Academic contributions and awards
The internationally acclaimed PALOH study - a partnership between Saint Mary’s and Health Innovation Manchester is transforming global practice by introducing a rapid genetic test to prevent gentamicin‑induced hearing loss in newborns. The project recently won a Times Higher Education Award, underscoring the Trust’s reputation as a centre of scientific excellence.
Our team is consistently involved in a wide range of research and publications. Explore a selection of our teams academic contributions:
Our Research Fellow Final year publications:
Rare and complex cases
- Neonatal surgical care for all aspects of general neonatal general surgery including congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Oesophageal atresia, NEC, gastroschisis, posterior urethral valves
- Neurosurgery – Congenital and post haemorrhagic hydrocephalus management, spina bifida repair
- Orthopaedics- Congenital or acquired limb anomalies
- Paediatric specialist: Neonatal peritoneal dialysis, CHI centre (congenital hyperinsulinemia), and centre for Bladder extropy management
Our sub-specialities
Specialist care spans complex Foetal Medicine referrals, respiratory, renal, cardiac and neurological conditions, surgical neonates, genetic and metabolic disorders, and comprehensive Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening and treatment, supported by close collaboration with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Why Manchester?
Manchester is a city of innovation and progress, renowned as the world’s first industrial city and still leading in science, healthcare, and technology. With excellent transport links and a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere, it offers an inclusive environment for learning and professional growth.
Beyond your placement, Manchester offers something for everyone - from watching the iconic Manchester derby to exploring world-class museums and galleries. With vibrant music, sport, and culture, the city truly has it all. Combining heritage and modernity, it creates a unique setting for personal enrichment and memorable experiences whilst you develop professionally.
Meet our expert supervisors
Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated professionals, who are all experts in their field. With many years of experience in the industry, they have the expertise to provide comprehensive, first-rate services to our clients.
Dr
Susan Kamupira
Newborn Services Clinical Head of Division
Dr
Kristen Tanney
Clinical Director
Our signature programmes
Observerships
Newborn Services
Newborn services offer a structured 4–8-week observerships in the tertiary NICU Saint Mary’s at Oxford Road, Wythenshawe and Trafford, giving you experience and insight into neonatal care in the NHS. Rotation to the level 2 neonatal unit will also be available. You will experience tailored schedules emphasising ward-based observation, MDT meetings, teaching sessions, clinic attendance and exposure to integrated pathways across the three-site network. You can gain insight into high-acuity neonatal care from 22 weeks’ gestation in the intensive care, and care of well babies on the postnatal ward.
This would be suited to International doctors and AHPs seeking exposure to UK neonatal practice in a leading academic centre with a strong research portfolio.
No direct patient care: Observers cannot examine, diagnose, treat, prescribe, or perform procedures.
No rota participation: Observers are not part of clinical rotas or service delivery.
Objectives
Learning and Exposure
- Provide international clinicians and allied health professionals with structured, short-term exposure to UK neonatal practice.
- Offer insight into high-acuity neonatal care from 22 weeks’ gestation, including subspecialty pathways (respiratory, surgical neonates, genomics-informed care).
- Enable observers to understand family-integrated care models and multidisciplinary teamwork.
Professional Development
- Enhance CVs and career prospects by demonstrating experience in a leading UK academic centre.
- Support preparation for PLAB exams, CESR or international career progression.
- Build awareness of UK governance, compliance, and patient safety standards.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the observership, participants will be able to:
- Describe the principles of high-acuity neonatal care from 22 weeks’ gestation.
- Recognise the role of subspecialty pathways (respiratory, surgical neonates, genomics-informed care) in neonatal practice.
- Explain the importance of family-integrated care and multidisciplinary teamwork in improving outcomes.
- Identify the governance, compliance, and patient safety standards underpinning UK neonatal services.
- Compare UK neonatal practice with their home country, highlighting transferable approaches.
- Articulate how observership experience can support PLAB preparation or career progression.
- Outline the structure of Saint Mary’s Hospital integrated three-site Newborn Service, and the North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network.
- Understand the role of collaboration with specialist paediatric services (e.g., Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital).
- Appreciate the contribution of research and innovation to neonatal care delivery.
Eligibility
- Must be a postgraduate medical doctor or healthcare professional (e.g. allied health).
- Must hold a valid qualification and professional registration in their home country.
- IELTS level 7 or equivalent to ensure observers can follow teaching and discussions.
Fellowships
Newborn Services
Newborn services can offer 12- 24 months Supernumerary neonatal fellowships focused on subspecialty skill-building (e.g., complex ventilation, surgical pathways, neonatal neurology, genomics-enabled care), with equitable access to supervision, teaching, and multidisciplinary practice. This will be based on the NICU on Oxford Road Campus. Fellows benefit from Saint Mary’s integrated neonatal network, links to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and the Foetal Medicine Unit. You will also have opportunities to observe or participate in research activity (subject to eligibility and governance), learning from a unit that consistently delivers high-quality study performance.
Objectives
Clinical and Subspecialty Development
- Provide supernumerary subspecialty training for senior trainees, focusing on areas such as complex ventilation, neonatal neurology, surgical pathways, and genomics-enabled care.
- Ensure equitable access to consultant supervision, structured teaching, and multidisciplinary practice.
- Offer opportunities to participate in or observe research activity, building academic skills and exposure to high-performing trials.
Professional Advancement
- Equip fellows with globally recognised credentials from a world‑renowned university city and NHS trust.
- Support career progression to consultant or leadership roles in their home countries.
- Build global networks through alumni engagement and international partnerships.
Learning outcomes
Clinical Competence
- Demonstrate advanced sub-speciality skills in areas such as complex ventilation, neonatal neurology, surgical pathways, and genomics-enabled care.
- Apply evidence-based practice in neonatal intensive care, supported by consultant supervision.
- Integrate family-centred care principles into clinical decision-making and patient management.
Academic and Research Development
- Participate in or critically appraise neonatal research activity, understanding governance and ethical frameworks.
- Contribute to audits, quality improvement projects, or academic outputs within the NICU.
- Evaluate the impact of clinical trials on neonatal practice.
Professional Growth
- Gain internationally recognised credentials from a world‑renowned university city and NHS trust.
- Develop leadership skills for future consultant or academic roles in their home country.
- Build global networks through alumni engagement and international partnerships.
Organisational Contribution
- Understand how supernumerary fellows complement, rather than displace, Deanery and Manchester International Fellowship posts.
- Recognise the importance of equitable supervision and APA/job plan recognition for consultants.
- Act as ambassadors for Manchester’s neonatal expertise upon return to their home institutions.
Eligibility
- Primary medical degree acceptable to the UK General Medical Council (GMC).
- Postgraduate qualification in chosen speciality (e.g. Membership/Fellowship of a Royal College, or equivalent overseas).
- Speciality training: At least 4 years of speciality training completed before entry.
- Clinical experience: Must have been in full‑time clinical work for at least 3 of the last 5 years, and continuously in the year prior to fellowship start.
- Detailed CV and logbook of procedures to demonstrate speciality experience.
- Certificate of Good Standing from home medical council.
- IELTS Academic: Overall score ≥7.5, with ≥7.0 in each domain.
- OET (Medical): Grade B or above in all domains