Paediatric Haematology
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Haematology at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Haematology at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital forms part of the regional haematology and oncology service for children and young people across the North West. The service provides care for children with cancer, leukaemia and non-malignant haematology disorders, supported by Ward 86, Ward 84 Outpatients, the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and the Stem Cell Unit.
Observers and fellows will experience how a specialist children's haematology service delivers diagnosis, treatment planning, inpatient care, outpatient review and supportive care across complex haematology pathways. The programme is particularly relevant for doctors seeking exposure to paediatric blood disorders, haemoglobinopathy, bleeding disorders, thrombosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, childhood leukaemia, stem cell transplantation and multidisciplinary care.
The service works across inpatient, outpatient and specialist unit settings. Learning may include observation of ward-based care, outpatient pathways, chemotherapy-related supportive care, management of treatment complications, continuity of care from diagnosis to completion of treatment, and family-centred communication in long-term or complex conditions.
The wider RMCH environment provides exposure to a large children's hospital with paediatric subspecialties, critical care, laboratory haematology, stem cell therapeutics and blood transfusion services. Fellows may also gain supervised experience in clinical decision-making and service coordination.
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
Professor Robert Wynn is Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Clinical Lead of the Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Service at RMCH, with specialist interests in paediatric blood and marrow transplant, inborn errors of metabolism, stem cell gene therapy, HLH and diagnostic paediatric haematology. He has written and edited textbooks, including Pediatric Hematology: A Practical Guide, and has contributed more than 150 peer-reviewed papers in these fields.
Dr John D Grainger is Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and local paediatric lead for non-malignant haematology, including bleeding disorders, sickle cell disease and early phase clinical trials. His national roles include leadership in paediatric ITP and paediatric haematology training, with regional leadership through the North West Sickle Cell Network.
Dr Sabiha Kausar is Consultant Paediatric Haematologist at RMCH and Deputy Clinical Lead for Thalassaemia and Rare Inherited Anaemias within the North West Haemoglobinopathy Coordinating Centre.
Rare and complex cases
Examples of learning themes include childhood leukaemia, cancer-associated haematology care, haemoglobinopathies including sickle cell disease and thalassaemia, rare inherited anaemias, bleeding disorders, thrombosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, diagnostic paediatric haematology and complex post-transplant complications.
The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Stem Cell Unit provide opportunities to understand transplant pathways for malignant and non-malignant disorders, including supportive care, complication recognition, multidisciplinary review, family counselling and long-term follow-up.
The observership or fellowship also supports understanding of how paediatric haematology interfaces with laboratory medicine, transfusion services, paediatric critical care, oncology, pharmacy, nursing, psychology, play and adolescent support, and regional haemoglobinopathy networks.
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 Haematology
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Describe the structure of a regional paediatric haematology and oncology service within a specialist children's hospital.
- Observe inpatient, outpatient and specialist unit pathways for children with malignant and non-malignant haematology disorders.
- Understand the role of multidisciplinary working in paediatric haematology, including nursing, laboratory, transfusion, oncology, pharmacy, psychology and critical care interfaces.
- Recognise key principles in the care of children with leukaemia, haemoglobinopathy, bleeding disorders, thrombosis, ITP and transplant-related complications.
- Observe family-centred communication, continuity of care and supportive treatment across diagnosis, active treatment and follow-up.
- Understand how clinical governance, regional networks, national standards and research activity support specialist paediatric haematology services.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Paediatric Haematology
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Apply supervised clinical reasoning to paediatric haematology presentations within inpatient, outpatient and specialist unit settings.
- Contribute to supervised assessment, investigation planning and management discussions for children with malignant and non-malignant haematology disorders.
- Develop practical understanding of haemoglobinopathy, thrombosis, bleeding disorders, ITP, childhood leukaemia and transplant pathway decision-making.
- Strengthen multidisciplinary communication with paediatric haematology, oncology, laboratory medicine, transfusion, pharmacy, nursing and critical care teams.
- Engage with clinical governance, education, research, audit or service improvement activity.
- Reflect on transferable approaches to specialist paediatric haematology service delivery, safety, regional network working and future leadership.
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.