Immunology

It has close links with the North West Genomics Partnership, hosted by Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust. This Genomics Partnership has recently been designated as one of only two Genomic Immunology Reference Laboratories for England.

Our service has a very active research profile and works closely with research groups at the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester and other national and international academic Institutes around the world, including the Institut des Maladies Genetiques in Paris.

What conditions do we treat?

Our teams of paediatric specialists and nurses help to care for over 400 children with defined genetic immune disorders, encompassing all innate and acquired primary immunodeficiency diseases. Specialist paediatric clinics for children with severe or unusual infectious diseases, or suspected immunodeficiency are held weekly. The consultants also undertake specialist immunodeficiency clinics at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Preston Hospital.

We also help to manage autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and children with virus-driven cancers.

In this regard, the service has close links with and undertakes joint clinics with other paediatric specialities in Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Haematology and Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplantation

Transition of patients from the age of 16 upwards is undertaken within the North West of England in conjunction with our adult services at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Salford Royal or Royal Preston hospitals. Due to small numbers of patients transitioning this is usually done on an individual basis rather than at transition clinics. Working closely with our adult colleagues we aim to transition patients seamlessly into adult services.

What treatments do we offer?

We offer a variety of the latest therapy services for our patients including:

Intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement
Biologic agents
Stem cell transplantation is carried out by our Bone Marrow Service who we work very closely with (Children with severe combined immune deficiency are cared for at the Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne).

Where will my child receive treatment?

Patients are initially assessed in weekly outpatient clinics. For day case treatment, patients are seen in the RMCH Elective treatment Centre (Ward 76). This includes patients commencing immunoglobulin treatment for home therapy. Most children requiring immunoglobulin replacement therapy receive injections administered by parents at home.

Inpatients are admitted onto a specialist medical ward within RMCH.

The service is supported by a specialist nursing team who have a comprehensive and essential role which includes training, monitoring patients and resolving technical difficulties.

Patients undergoing Bone Marrow Transplant (for other immunodeficiencies) are cared for in our nationally accredited paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant and Stem Cell Unit.

Our Consultants