Leeds Children's Hospital

28/07/2025

Earlier this year our Neonatal Team led a fundraising campaign with Leeds Hospitals Charity alongside parents to fund Beads of Courage for some of the tiniest babies they care for.

Now, thanks to everyone who came together to support their fundraising efforts, babies like Mia and her family are benefitting from the internationally renowned not-for-profit programme that helps children tell their stories through colourful beads, each one marking a moment of courage or hope.

Mia was born at 36 weeks and 3 days via emergency c-section after her mum discovered she had pre-eclampsia at her hospital appointment, and was immediately taken for specialist care.

From 20 weeks, the family knew it wasn’t going to be an easy journey after being told the pregnancy was high risk because Mia had suspected Oesophageal Atresia and Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF/OA) which could effect her ability to swallow and breath normally.

On the Neonatal Unit, Mia’s family started to collect Beads of Courage to mark the milestones in Mia’s hospital journey, her mum said:

'We can’t tell you what the beads of courage have meant to us, and what they will mean to Mia as she grows older. It is the most beautiful sensory representation of her journey she can see, touch and feel for herself when she is older. Each bead will tell her a piece of her journey to recovery; the good, the not so good, the memories and the milestones.

'For me, each week, taking a moment to collect her beads; was a chance connect, to reflect, but also to remember she is one step closer to coming home. For us, it’s Mia’s story, it’s not smooth sailing, it’s a bumpy ride but it’s a story of courage & strength, of determination and the challenges she has already overcome, it’s a beautiful reminder.'

Thank you to Leeds Hospitals Charity and all their supporters for getting behind this important programme. Huge thanks to Mia and her family for sharing their experience.

23/07/2025

Please can you help? This year marks a truly special milestone — 25 years of the Leeds Paediatric Liver Transplant Programme! Since 2000, the programme has been transforming lives, one transplant at a time.

We're raising funds for a special event to honour and celebrate our patients, families, staff, and generous donors who make it all possible in this milestone year. Please help us reach our goal by making a donation via Leeds Hospitals Charity:

Help us celebrate 25 years of paediatric liver transplants in Leeds! We're raising funds for a special event to honour patients, families, staff, and donors — shining a light on hope, healing, and the power of transplantation. 💚

21/07/2025

Elsie's MRI journey

Elsie from York was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2019 when she was just 15 months old. She underwent multiple surgeries to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by nearly five years of chemotherapy to keep the tumour under control.

This has meant lots of MRI's which had to be under General Anaesthetic (GA) because of the challenges of keeping still. Elsie never liked these procedures or the side effects of the GAs. At age five the team wanted to see if she could cope with an awake MRI and this is where Rachelle from the MRI Play Team stepped in.

Elsie’s mum Gemma said:

‘Rachelle met with Elsie prior to the appointment and took her to the MRI room, she let her sit on the bed and talked her through the whole process. Rachelle was instrumental in giving Elsie the confidence to be able to do it. On the day of her MRI and pretty much everyone since, Rachelle has been there for Elsie, played with her and made her feel happy and confident each time’

With support from Rachelle and the rest of the MRI Team Elsie has developed the confidence to have MRIs awake.

Unfortunately, treatment at Leeds didn’t keep Elsie’s condition under control and she had to have proton therapy in Manchester. By this time Elsie was 6 years old.

Gemma said:

‘The whole process was made so much easier because Elsie was already an expert at being able to lie flat for over an hour, thanks to all the preparation for MRIs with Rachelle.’

Elsie completed proton therapy in September 2024 and recently held a celebration at Candlelighters The Square to ring the End of Treatment Bell, joined by Rachelle.

Elsie still has lots of recovery to undergo and will still need MRI's for some time but Rachelle and the team are delighted with her progress.

Gemma said:

‘I’d like to thank Rachelle for all her input with Elsie. Elsie was so apprehensive about MRIs in the beginning but with help of Rachelle and all the team it has been made possible and she can now go in confident and happy’

Thank you to Elsie and Gemma for sharing your MRI story with us and congratulations on reaching this milestone in your treatment.

20/07/2025

The rain isn’t putting off our wonderful team who are ready for . Proud to celebrate inclusion in the NHS for our colleagues and our patients. Our Chief Operating Officer Clare Smith joined everyone today in the celebrations. Thank you to our fantastic LGBT+ staff network for leading our involvement and for their ongoing support and guidance.

16/07/2025

Charities donate over £300k to fund research roles in Leeds Children's Hospital Neuromuscular Service.

Our Neuromuscular Service has received major funding to support pioneering research into treatments for neuromuscular conditions. Charities Duchenne UK and Leeds Hospitals Charity have joined together to fund two roles for five years. They are jointly donating over £300,000 to the service because of its track-record as a centre for excellence in paediatric neuromuscular care and leading-edge research. The service currently looks after nearly 500 children with neuromuscular conditions from across the Yorkshire region.

11-year-old Austin was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in November 2015, at just two years old. Austin’s mum Maxine initially thought he had a virus and took him to hospital, where he spent the next month having tests.

Three years ago, Austin began a trial at the Leeds Children’s Clinical Research Facility, with his family travelling over eight hours each week. Now, Austin has received over 130 infusions, he has a better understanding of his condition and knows he will lose the ability to walk, telling his mum he takes part in the trials because, ‘I want to help boys in the future to walk longer.’

For Austin’s family, the opportunity to participate in clinical trials has been a lifeline, offering hope to other families to find better treatments and eventually a cure.

Read the full story on our website:
https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/news/charities-donate-over-300k-to-fund-leading-edge-research-at-leeds-childrens-neuromuscular-service/

15/07/2025

Matthew's double Three Peaks challenge 🏔🏔🏔 🏔🏔🏔

In a few days time Asthma Nurse Specialist Matthew Hick will embark on an epic challenge to raise funds for Leeds Children's Transplant Team. Matthew is taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks (Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough) not once but TWICE within 24 hours! That’s over 77km and more than 10,000 ft of vertical ascent.

Leeds Children's Transplant Team is made up of more than 40 inspiring children and young people, aged 2 - 18, who have all been the recipients of organ or bone marrow transplants at Leeds Children's Hospital. The Team compete at the games every year where they showcase the best of transplant sport, celebrate their gifts of life and raise awareness of organ and bone marrow donation.

Matthew is raising funds with Leeds Hospitals Charity to support transplant patients to attend the British Transplant Games which will be held in Oxford at the end of July. Funds raised will go support registration, accommodation, kit, transport etc.

Matthew who used to be Liver Nurse Specialist said:

'Having worked closely with these brave families, I have witnessed first-hand the highs and lows of their transplant journeys. The three peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough symbolize these ups and downs. As I walk, the families will be in my thoughts, inspiring me to push through every step.'

Matthew hopes to complete two laps in 16 hours, adding an extra level of challenge. He will be supported on his second lap by Renal Nurse Specialist Richard Carless. Everyone at Leeds Children's Hospital is getting behind Matthew and his epic challenge.

You can show your support for Matthew, Richard and the amazing Leeds Children's Transplant Team here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/matthew-hick-4

Go Matthew!

14/07/2025

Brothers to compete together for the first time at British Transplant Games!

When Harry was born, his parents thought they had two healthy boys. But at 9 months old, Harry began to decline in alarming ways, leading to a hospital stay where doctors discovered he was in liver failure due to a genetic condition. The news became even more challenging when it was found that his brother Max had the same condition and was also showing early signs of liver disease.

Thanks to specialist teams at Leeds Children's Hospital and a generous organ donor, Harry received a new liver at 14 months old and is now a thriving 9-year-old. Max's decline was slower, but last year he too received the gift of a new liver and is now in high school, attending more regularly than ever before!

This year both brothers are excited to compete together for the first time at the British Transplant Games as part of Leeds Children's Transplant Team. Max, who has cheered Harry on from the side-lines many times, is eager to join in and earn his own medals.

Leeds Children's Transplant Team is made up of more than 40 inspiring children and young people, aged 2 - 18, who have all been the recipients of organ or bone marrow transplants at Leeds Children's Hospital. Supported by a 'purple army' of family members, friends and volunteers as well as supporters from Leeds Hospitals Charity, the team complete at the British Transplant Games every year.

As well as bringing home the medals the team remember their donors, celebrate their individual gifts of life and raise the profile of organ and bone marrow donation. Like Max and Harry, every member of the team has had to overcome enormous hurdles in their first few years, each and every one of them demonstrating that the sky is the limit!

You can still support the team to attend the Games which take place in Oxford in just a few weeks. Find out more here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/btglch2025

11/07/2025

Whilst many of us are enjoying this warm weather spell, anyone can become unwell when the weather is hot, and some are at higher risk than others. It's important to look out for older people, people with long-term health conditions and young
children who may find it more difficult to stay cool and hydrated.
- stay in the shade where possible
- keep yourselves cool
- keep drinking water

There’s lots more information online to help you stay safe during hot weather. Visit the
UKHSA www.gov.uk/government/publications/beat-the-heat-hot-weather-advice/beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot-weather

09/07/2025

On Monday we welcomed visitors from the The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation who came to see the Natasha Clinical Trial in action at Leeds Children's Hospital.

Visitors from Natasha along with their corporate partners met with our Children's Allergy Team, allergy patients taking part in the trial and visited our Children's NIHR Clinical Research Facility.

The Natasha Clinical Trial aims to assess the effectiveness of Oral Immunotherapy Treatment (OIT) used to train the immune system of children and young people with food allergies to tolerate an allergen, reducing the risk of a dangerous reaction.

Leeds Children's Hospital is one of nine hospitals taking part in the study. The Leeds Children’s Hospital trial is being led by Dr Aida Semic-Jusufagic who said:

‘We’re delighted to welcome visitors from The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and their supporters today and show them first-hand how their funding is already benefiting our patients here in Leeds. By taking part in this trial, we’re helping to shape the future of the treatment of allergy in the NHS’

Find out more here: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/news/natasha-allergy-research-foundation-visit-to-leeds-childrens-hospital/

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

09/07/2025

Congratulations to Jade Belton - Service Coordinator for our Inherited White Matter Disease and SDR services - who picked up the a Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Time to Shine award on Friday evening!

Jade was recognised for her work on sourcing cost-effective and appropriate accommodation for patients who need to stay here in the city whilst receiving treatment.

Well done Jade! ⭐

The winner of our Time to Shine Award for Finance is Jade Belton!

Jade has played a key role in helping us improve financial sustainability by sourcing a new, cost-effective accommodation provider for paediatric patients.

But this isn’t just about numbers, Jade ensured that the new accommodation also met the essential comfort and accessibility needs of patients and their families. A perfect example of financial responsibility paired with compassion and care.

Congratulations, Jade your work is helping the Trust do more for patients while making every pound count.

08/07/2025

Last week our Play Team received a donation of toys, craft activities and games from Attain - the largest independent health advisory and delivery organisation in the UK.

The team at Attain held a collection of play resources at their summer party, on behalf of Sophie's Legacy.

Play Specialists Neoma and Lucy were on hand to receive the donation and thank the team from Attain for this fantastic donation that will help our Play Team who now operate 7 days a week thanks to support from Leeds Hospitals Charity.

08/07/2025

Congratulations to our Neonatal Team who won the 'Timeliness' award at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Time to Shine Awards on Friday evening! ⭐

The team who work across the city were recognised for their work on 'Sepsis: From Bench, to Bedside and Beyond!', improving patient safety.

Well done to all the team!

⏱️ And the winner of our Time to Shine Award for Timeliness is…
Neonatal Sepsis: From Bench, to Bedside and Beyond! Brilliant work.