Paediatric Surgery
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Surgery at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
The department of Paediatric Surgery in Manchester is the largest in the United Kingdom. The department includes a range of paediatric and neonatal sub-specialities, including oncology and pancreatic surgery, upper GI and thoracic surgery, lower GI surgery and general surgery of childhood and vascular malformations.
They provide paediatric surgical services to children of the Northwest, nationally and internationally. Non specialist secondary paediatric surgery services are also provided to certain localities within Greater Manchester. Outpatient clinics are provided on site in Manchester at Oxford Road, as well as Stepping Hill, Bolton, Lancaster and Macclesfield Hospitals. Most surgery is undertaken at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Wythenshawe sites, although outreach clinics and theatre sessions take place at Stepping Hill, Bolton and Lancaster Hospitals.
The department is one of only two units in the UK that performs pancreatic surgery for congenital hyperinsulinism, but also looks after children with more straight forward surgical problems such as inguinal hernias, undescended testicles and much more.
The department currently has 11 full time consultants and one Post CCT speciality fellow. These are supported by a three further tiers of doctors. These are comprised of 8 doctors working at core trainee level, 11 at registrar level (including 8 rotational numbered trainees) and 4 Specialist Doctors. There is a separate department of Paediatric Urology, which provides both secondary and tertiary level services.
Paediatric Surgery is currently open to observerships but not accepting fellowships.
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
Our team is consistently involved in a wide range of research and publications. Explore a selection of our teams' academic contributions:
- Management of Pediatric and Adolescent Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Chest Wall: An Expert Consensus Opinion From the International Soft Tissue Sarcoma Consortium (INSTRuCT)
- The use of a reinforced tissue matrix (OviTex) in paediatric reconstructive surgery
- European Society of Coloproctology guidelines for the management of pilonidal disease | BJS
- Large hiatus hernia requiring hiatoplasty - An ongoing challenge: A case series
- The patient's outcome, not the surgeon's opinion, defines surgical success
Rare and complex cases
Some examples of the cases/operations performed are:
Oncology: Neuroblastoma, Wilm’s tumours, adrenal tumours and surgery for hyperinsulinism (nationally commissioned)
Upper GI/Thoracic: Thoracoscopic lung resections, Complex Oesophageal Atresia (including jejunal interpositions), Laparoscopic total and partial splenectomies
Lower GI: Hirschsprung’s, Anorectal malformations and minimally invasive colorectal surgery for IBD.
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.
Mr
Ross Craigie
Mr Craigie has been a consultant paediatric and neonatal surgeon at RMCH since 2010. His clinical interests include paediatric oncology surgery an pancreatic surgery for congenital hyperinsulism.
Mr
Paul Farrelly
Mr Farrelly has a strong interest in Paediatric Oncology Surgery and has been a substantive consultant at RMCH since September 2014.
Mr
David Wilkinson
Mr Wilkinson has been awarded personal research fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the British Association of Paediatric Surgeoons and Action Medical Research. He has an interest in Upper GI and Thoracic Surgery, as well as an interest in research with the aim of improving the quality of care provided to children and families.
Mr
Nick Lansdale
Mr Lansdale's clinical interests include paediatric Upper GI and Thoracic surgery, with the majority of this work being carried out using laparoscopy or thoracospy (keyhole surgery). He is one of three surgeons who perform oesophageal at Manchester. He has active research interests and is Cheif Investigator of the NIHR funded ToSCiN study.
Mr
Robert Peters
Mr Peters completed his higher surgical training in PAediatric Surgery in the North West of England and gained Fellowships in Adult Thoracic Surgery and Paediatric Thoracoscopic Surgery. He has special interests in Upper GI and Thoracic surgery and Chest wall Deformaties
Ms
Kathryn O'Shea
Ms O'Shea has a special interest in Lower GI surgery and is frequently involved in research pubications.
Dr
William Calvert
Mr Calvert has a special interest in general surgery of childhood and vascular malformations.
Our signature programmes
Observerships
Paediatric Surgery
Observership placements in Paediatric Surgery are available between 4-6 weeks, enabling candidates to gain exposure to a range of paediatric and neonatal surgical conditions. This Observership is ideal for postgraduate doctors with an interest in Paediatric Surgery in a UK context and provides the opportunity to work in the largest tertiary paediatric surgical centre in the United Kingdom with access to a range of rare congenital conditions. Observers take part in the department's educational programme, shadow resident doctors in daily tasks and observe outpatient clinics and operating lists. Candidates also have opportunities for exposure to both elective and emergency cases.
Objectives
The objective would be to gain insight into the typical caseload and working practices of both general and subspecialist paediatric surgery.
You would be expected to
- Attend the departmental education programme (held weekly on Mondays).
- Observe practice on the wards, in outpatients and theatres.
- Shadow resident doctors in daily tasks and observe outpatient clinics and operating lists.
Learning outcomes
Each individual will be set specific learning outcomes decieded with their assigned supervisor depending on their needs.
Eligibility
- A minimum of 1 year experience post primary medical degree
- English language – to meet the expectations of GMC registration