Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplants
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplants at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
The Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplants / HSCT programme at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital offers observers and fellows exposure to one of the UK’s largest paediatric oncology, haematology and bone marrow/haematopoietic stem cell transplant services outside London. The service provides definitive treatment for children and young people with a range of clinical conditions and delivers care through a specialist, highly multidisciplinary model.
Observers and fellows can expect exposure to the stages of the HSCT pathway, including assessment, donor and source material considerations, mobilisation, collection, conditioning, transplant, engraftment monitoring, aftercare and complication management. Clinical exposure may include patients with leukaemia, cancers, inborn errors of metabolism, immune disorders and other complex indications for transplant or cellular therapy.
The service is closely linked with paediatric critical care, paediatric anaesthetics and theatres, the Willink metabolic unit, specialist nursing, dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, neuropsychology, therapeutic play, pharmacy and laboratory services. Most inpatient HSCT care is delivered on Ward 79, the dedicated HSCT unit.
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
• Senthil S, Matalliotakis MG, Hughes S, Arkwright PD, Shenoy M, Wynn R. Haemopoietic stem cell transplantation in refractory paediatric RAS-associated lymphoproliferative disorder. Frontiers in Immunology. 2026.
• Buchbinder N, Michel V, Dalissier A, Kleinschmidt K, Locatelli F, Maschan A, Wynn R, et al. Outcomes after a second allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant for relapsed paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia improved over time. British Journal of Haematology. 2025.
• Sharma A, Swist-Szulik K, Wynn R, Senthil S. Thrombolysis for superior vena cava syndrome post bone marrow transplant: a paediatric experience. BMJ Case Reports. 2025.
• Cooper MA, Zimmerman O, Nataraj R, Wynn RF. Lifelong Immune Modulation Versus Hematopoietic Cell Therapy for Inborn Errors of Immunity. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2021.
Rare and complex cases
- Allogeneic and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation pathways.
- Transplants for paediatric leukaemia, cancers and relapsed disease.
- HSCT for inborn errors of metabolism, including lysosomal storage disorders such as mucopolysaccharide diseases.
- Stem cell gene therapy pathways, including advanced therapy medicinal products where commissioned and clinically indicated.
- CAR-T therapy pathways including Kymriah for eligible children and young people with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
- Libmeldy treatment pathways for eligible children with metachromatic leukodystrophy.
- Complex transplant complications, engraftment monitoring, immunosuppression, infection risk and multidisciplinary aftercare.
- Joint working with immunology, metabolic medicine, paediatric critical care, pharmacy, stem cell laboratory and research teams.
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.
Our signature programmes
Observership
Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplants
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Understand the structure and clinical role of a specialist paediatric HSCT service.
- Observe assessment, treatment planning and multidisciplinary decision-making for children and young people considered for HSCT.
- Gain insight into transplant pathway stages including mobilisation, collection, conditioning, cell infusion, engraftment and aftercare.
- Observe how specialist teams manage infection risk, immunosuppression, supportive care, complications and family-centred communication.
- Understand links between HSCT, paediatric oncology, haematology, immunology, metabolic medicine, critical care, pharmacy, cellular therapy and laboratory services.
- Develop awareness of governance, consent, clinical trials, data monitoring and long-term follow-up in paediatric transplant practice.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplants
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Consolidate advanced understanding of paediatric HSCT indications, pathway design, clinical risk assessment and transplant planning.
- Develop supervised experience of complex case review, multidisciplinary working and complication recognition across the transplant pathway.
- Build familiarity with HSCT for malignant disease, immune disorders, inborn errors of metabolism and advanced cellular or gene therapy pathways.
- Understand how specialist nursing, pharmacy, laboratory, AHP, psychology and critical care teams contribute to safe transplant delivery.
- Engage with audit, quality improvement, teaching or research activity.
Eligibility
- Postgraduate Qualification: Applicants must hold an overseas-recognised postgraduate medical qualification (MD, MS, Masters) in the relevant specialty.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years’ recent experience in the relevant or a related specialty within the last 5 years, including at least 12 months of continuous practice before applying.
- Training Level: Equivalent to ST5 or above, or post-CCT clinicians seeking subspecialty exposure.
- Language Proficiency: IELTS Academic with 7.0 in each band and overall 7.5, or OET Medicine with Grade B in all domains, with certificate validity within 24 months.
- Registration: GMC registration is required for fellowship activity. Sponsorship support may be available through approved routes where appropriate.
- Applicants must not have failed PLAB exams previously.
- Visa sponsorship is only available through approved routes; self-funded visas outside agreed schemes are excluded.