Paediatric Cleft Lip and Palate
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Cleft lip and palate at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
The Paediatric Cleft Lip and Palate programme at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital offers observers and fellows the opportunity to understand the delivery of specialist cleft care in a major paediatric hospital environment. The programme is intended for international doctors or aspiring clinicians seeking structured exposure to NHS multidisciplinary working, subspecialty clinical pathways and consultant-led decision making in the care of infants, children and young people with cleft lip and/or palate.
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital's cleft pathway is delivered through a coordinated regional service, bringing together surgical, dental, nursing, speech and language therapy, audiology, psychology, genetics and wider paediatric expertise. Observers and fellows can expect to see how complex care is planned across the patient journey, including early assessment after diagnosis or referral, operative planning, peri-operative review, longer-term functional and developmental follow-up, and transition towards young adulthood.
Observers will focus on shadowing clinics, multidisciplinary discussions, ward and theatre pathways where appropriate, and understanding how specialist cleft services are organised within the NHS. Fellows will gain deeper supervised, sub-speciality clinical exposure aligned to their training level.
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
Butterworth S, Rivers C, Fullarton M, Murphy C, Beale V, et al. “A Closer Look at Delayed Primary Cleft Surgery and Unrepaired Cleft Lip and/or Palate in 5 UK Cleft Centers.” Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, 2022.
Leven J, Ali R, Butterworth CJ. “Zygomatic implant-supported prosthodontic rehabilitation of edentulous patients with a history of cleft palate: A clinical report.” Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2022.
Rare and complex cases
Observers and fellows may gain insight into the assessment and management of children with complex cleft presentations, including cleft lip and palate associated with additional congenital anomalies, syndromic diagnoses, airway or feeding concerns, delayed or staged surgery, speech and resonance difficulties, dental and orthodontic complexity, and secondary procedures for functional or aesthetic refinement.
The learning value lies not only in individual operative cases, but in seeing how clinical decisions are made across a multidisciplinary pathway. This includes balancing timing of surgery, growth and development, speech outcomes, hearing needs, family priorities, psychosocial wellbeing and wider paediatric risk.
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.
Victoria Beale
Dr Victoria Beale is a Consultant Cleft and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with specialist interests in cleft lip and palate, paediatric oral and maxillofacial surgery, and speech surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency. Appointed in Manchester in 2010, she completed a prestigious National Cleft Interface Fellowship and is Clinical Director of the Cleft Network, combining extensive surgical expertise with leadership in specialised children's services.
Ailbhe McMullin
Dr Ailbhe McMullin is a Consultant Orthodontist at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with specialist interests in cleft lip and palate, craniofacial orthodontics, and complex orthodontic treatment. Appointed as a Consultant in 2014, she completed specialist orthodontic training in Manchester and advanced consultant training in orthodontics, and plays a key role in the multidisciplinary cleft service across the North West.
Adele Bronkhorst
Dr Adele Bronkhorst is a Consultant Orthodontist at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with specialist interests in cleft lip and palate, craniofacial conditions, and complex orthodontic treatment. She completed specialist orthodontic training in South Africa and an advanced fellowship in Cleft and Craniofacial Orthodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Boston Children’s Hospital, and is actively involved in multidisciplinary cleft care and education.
Our signature programmes
Observership
Paediatric Cleft Lip and Palate
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Understand the structure and delivery of a specialist NHS cleft lip and palate service.
- Recognise the role of the multidisciplinary team in patient care.
- Observe the assessment, treatment planning and long-term management of patients with cleft lip and/or palate.
- Understand the principles of cleft surgery and associated therapies.
- Gain insight into patient-centred care, safeguarding and NHS clinical governance.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Paediatric Cleft Lip and Palate
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of multidisciplinary cleft lip and palate management.
- Participate in supervised clinical activities in line with their experience and agreed academic objectives.
- Develop knowledge of operative planning, treatment pathways and long-term outcomes.
- Understand quality improvement, clinical governance and service development within a specialist cleft service.
- Apply learning to support service improvement and professional development within their home organisation.
Eligibility
- Postgraduate Qualification: Applicants must hold an overseas-recognised postgraduate medical qualification (MD, MS, Masters) in ophthalmology or a relevant specialty.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years’ recent experience in ophthalmology 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.