We are one of only two centres in the UK dedicated to treating children with immune system deficiencies.
Our pioneering new treatments enable children to lead normal, healthy lives free of all medication.
Part of the children’s immunology service, we are recognised as one of the leading clinical research units in Europe for children’s immunology and infectious diseases.
This includes Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome (SCIDS) and bone marrow transplants.
We care for children from across the country: from the Midlands up to Scotland, and across to Ireland through a network of clinics in these areas which our consultants visit.
Stem cell transplants (HSCT)
We’ve been performing stem cell transplants on children with defective immune systems for over 20 years. We perform up to 40 stem cell transplants for disorders such as Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome (SCIDS).
Each year, we see over 1,400 children with immunity and infection problems.
We also provide advanced care for other severe primary immunodeficiency problems which usually occur in older children.
Our team have pioneered the use of bone marrow transplants to cure children with severe arthritis and other life threatening auto-immune diseases.
We provide transplants for children in our region who suffer from tumours affecting
- The blood
- Bone marrow and
- Lymph nodes (haematological malignancies)
- Leukaemia
We also provide transplants for bone marrow failure such as aplastic anaemia.
Extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP)
We use extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) as a specialised treatment for ‘graft versus host disease‘. This is a complication of stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Our expert team can provide this treatment even for small babies, and we have treated patients who have been referred from other centres for this service.
Specialist care and support
We use technological advancements together with all-round care and support for our young patients and their families.
Our highly-trained specialist nursing liaison team helps you prepare for your child’s transplant and to manage their aftercare.
The medical and nursing staff will support you during your child’s stay, providing you with emotional and practical support.
Our play therapists also help ensure that your child continues to develop as normally as possible while in hospital.
Pioneering research
Our current research focuses on five areas:
- Clinical, biological and socio-economic features of Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders
- Finding new genetic defects which cause Primary Immunodeficiency
- Developing better techniques for stem cell transplantation
- Finding the causes of complex unregulated autoimmunity/immune response in childhood, and developing effective therapy and stem cell transplantation
- Long-term follow up of children and adults who have had transplants.
