Paediatric Nephrology
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Nephrology at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital provides a comprehensive paediatric nephrology service for children and young people with kidney disorders across the North West of England. The department was established in 1967 and has a substantial regional history, including being the first paediatric nephrology service in the North of England, introducing dedicated paediatric haemodialysis in 1974, and undertaking its first kidney transplant in 1982.
The service offers exposure to inpatient nephrology, dialysis, transplant pathways, outpatient subspecialty clinics, transition care and regional outreach. The department manages inpatient and day-case activity, provides dialysis and renal biopsy services, and supports a wide range of specialist clinics including dialysis, low clearance, transplant, Alport and thin basement membrane disease, cystinosis, tuberous sclerosis, renal stones, metabolic/MMA, antenatal, renal genetics, vasculitis, lower urinary tract dysfunction, paediatric-adult transition and AKI follow-up.
The cystinosis service is one of three national highly specialised paediatric services in England and offers multidisciplinary review involving nephrology, ophthalmology, neurology/neuromuscular care, endocrinology, dietetics, pharmacy, fertility care and clinical genetics.
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
Recent publications linked to the service and its clinical academic network include:
- HOT-KID trial, The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 2023.
- Gitelman-like syndrome caused by pathogenic variants in mtDNA, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2022.
- COVID-19 experiences in children and young adults with kidney conditions, Pediatric Nephrology, 2021.
- Pegcetacoplan in C3 glomerulopathy and immune-complex MPGN, New England Journal of Medicine, 2025.
- LDL-apheresis-induced remission of recurrent FSGS after paediatric renal transplant, Pediatric Nephrology, 2019.
Rare and complex cases
- Renal replacement therapy, including chronic haemodialysis and long-term peritoneal dialysis.
- Paediatric kidney transplantation assessment, follow-up and complex transplant pathways, including ABO/HLA incompatible transplantation where available.
- Renal biopsy pathways and complex diagnostic work-up.
- Inherited, metabolic and multisystem renal disease, including Alport syndrome, thin basement membrane disease, cystinosis, tuberous sclerosis, renal genetics and MMA-related renal disease.
- Vasculitis, nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, renal stones, antenatal renal counselling, lower urinary tract dysfunction, AKI follow-up and transition to adult services.
- Multidisciplinary cystinosis care, including ophthalmology, endocrinology, genetics, neurology, dietetics, pharmacy and fertility-care input.
- Plasma exchange and lipid apheresis activity within the department.
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 Nephrology
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Describe the structure and governance of a tertiary NHS paediatric nephrology service.
- Understand assessment and follow-up pathways for acute and chronic kidney disease, including transition to adult services.
- Recognise how multidisciplinary teams support complex renal care, including dialysis, transplant, renal genetics, metabolic renal disease, cystinosis and vasculitis.
- Understand the contribution of specialist nursing, dietetics, psychology, pharmacy, genetics, ophthalmology and allied health professionals.
- Observe outpatient, inpatient, day-case, regional outreach and MDT working models.
- Understand how research, audit, innovation and family-centred care inform paediatric nephrology practice.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Paediatric Nephrology
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Demonstrate enhanced understanding of tertiary paediatric nephrology service delivery, governance and clinical pathways.
- Apply learning from observed assessment, follow-up and transition pathways for children and young people with acute and chronic kidney disease.
- Develop insight into multidisciplinary management of complex renal disease, including dialysis, transplant, renal genetics, metabolic renal disease, cystinosis and vasculitis.
- Understand decision-making processes relevant to renal biopsy, dialysis, transplant assessment and follow-up, and advanced therapies where available.
- Relate clinical service, research, audit, innovation and family-centred care to paediatric nephrology service improvement.
- Identify how fellowship learning could inform service development, governance, education and leadership in the fellow’s home healthcare system.
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.