Paediatric Cardiology
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Cardiology at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
The Paediatric Cardiology programme at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital provides structured exposure to paediatric cardiology services delivered at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital as part of a managed clinical network with Alder Hey Children's Hospital. The network supports children and young people across the North West, giving observers and fellows insight into regional specialist care pathways within a major children's hospital setting.
Observers and fellows will gain insight into outpatient paediatric cardiology, consultant-led assessment, cardiac nurse specialist input, referral pathways and multidisciplinary working. Clinical exposure may include general paediatric cardiology, inherited cardiac disease, non-invasive paediatric arrhythmias, heart failure and imaging. Fellows may also engage in supervised case discussion, governance, audit, teaching and service improvement activity.
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
• Cardiomyopathy with renal anomalies in two siblings: a new recessive syndrome?, Clinical Dysmorphology, 2007.
Rare and complex cases
- Inherited cardiac disease and family-linked cardiac risk assessment.
- Non-invasive paediatric arrhythmias, palpitations and rhythm-related presentations.
- Heart failure and imaging-led cardiology assessment.
- Children with syndromic, developmental or multisystem presentations where cardiac assessment forms part of broader paediatric care.
- Regional referral pathways between RMCH, Alder Hey Children's Hospital and North West services.
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.
Paulo Eden Santos
Dr Paulo Éden Alberto Santos is a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist and Clinical Lead in Paediatric Cardiology at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. He specialises in paediatric cardiology and congenital heart disease, supporting specialist cardiac care for children across the North West congenital heart disease network.
Our signature programmes
Observership
Paediatric Cardiology
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Understand the structure of paediatric cardiology services at RMCH and the role of the North West managed clinical network.
- Observe outpatient assessment, clinical history taking, examination, investigation planning and communication with children and families.
- Develop insight into common and complex paediatric cardiology presentations, including inherited cardiac disease, arrhythmia-related presentations, heart failure and imaging-led assessment.
- Observe how cardiac nurse specialists, consultants and wider paediatric teams support patient education, safety, follow-up and shared-care communication.
- Strengthen understanding of NHS referral pathways, documentation, safeguarding awareness, clinical governance and multidisciplinary working.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Paediatric Cardiology
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Develop supervised clinical reasoning in paediatric cardiology assessment, differential diagnosis, investigation planning and management review.
- Gain deeper exposure to specialist pathways, including inherited cardiac disease, non-invasive arrhythmias, heart failure, imaging and regional network care.
- Contribute to supervised case presentations, teaching, audit, quality improvement or governance activity.
- Build confidence in multidisciplinary working with cardiology, cardiac nursing, paediatrics, imaging, emergency care and regional specialist teams.
- Apply learning to service improvement, pathway development and future paediatric cardiology practice in the fellow's home healthcare setting.
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.