Paediatric Leukaemia
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Leukaemia at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
The Paediatric Leukaemia programme at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital offers observers and fellows exposure to a regional paediatric haematology and oncology service caring for children with cancer, leukaemia and non-malignant haematology disorders. Ward 86 provides inpatient haematology and oncology care, with linked outpatient, day-case, BMTU and stem cell services supporting the wider patient pathway.
Observers and fellows can expect to see family-centred care from diagnosis through treatment completion, including chemotherapy, supportive care, side-effect management, multidisciplinary review and continuity across inpatient and outpatient settings. The programme includes exposure to children and young people with acute leukaemia, high-risk disease, relapsed or refractory presentations, treatment complications and pathways requiring stem cell transplantation or cellular therapy input.
The service works across medical, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, psychology, play, transplant, laboratory and research teams. It is suited to clinicians and aspiring clinicians seeking structured exposure to paediatric leukaemia pathways, complex haematology/oncology decision-making, trial-informed care and the delivery of safe specialist cancer care for children and young people.
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
Borrill R, Poulton K, Wynn R. Immunology of cord blood T-cells favors augmented disease response during clinical pediatric stem cell transplantation for acute leukemia. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2023.
The GRANS clinical trial at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital has shown promising results for children with rare, high-risk leukaemia using cord blood stem cell transplant with granulocyte transfusions.
Enhanced CAR T cell expansion and prolonged persistence in paediatric patients with ALL treated with a low-affinity CD19 CAR. Nature Medicine. 2019.
Rare and complex cases
- Newly diagnosed acute leukaemia requiring urgent assessment, treatment planning and chemotherapy initiation.
- High-risk acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia pathways.
- Relapsed or refractory leukaemia requiring specialist multidisciplinary review.
- Patients requiring bone marrow transplant, cord blood transplant, CAR-T or other cellular therapy input.
- Treatment complications including infection risk, cytopenias, transfusion support, chemotherapy toxicity and intensive supportive care.
- Joint working with BMTU and stem cell services, paediatric critical care, pharmacy, laboratory medicine, psychology and allied health teams.
- Teenage cancer care and age-appropriate support for young people with haematology and oncology conditions.
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 Leukaemia
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Understand the structure and clinical role of a regional paediatric leukaemia service.
- Observe assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and multidisciplinary decision-making for children and young people with leukaemia.
- Gain insight into inpatient care, outpatient review, day-case treatment, chemotherapy delivery and supportive care pathways.
- Observe management of treatment complications including infection risk, cytopenias, transfusion support and chemotherapy-related toxicity.
- Understand links between paediatric leukaemia, BMTU and stem cell services, cellular therapy, pharmacy, laboratory medicine and clinical research.
- Develop awareness of family-centred communication, consent, safeguarding, governance and continuity of care in paediatric cancer services.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Paediatric Leukaemia
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Consolidate advanced understanding of paediatric leukaemia assessment, risk stratification, treatment pathways and supportive care.
- Develop supervised experience of complex case review, relapse management, treatment complication recognition and multidisciplinary planning.
- Build familiarity with pathways involving stem cell transplantation, cord blood transplant, CAR-T and trial-informed treatment.
- Understand how inpatient, outpatient, day-case, nursing, pharmacy, AHP, psychology and laboratory teams contribute to safe leukaemia care.
- 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 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.