Leeds Children's Hospital

26/03/2026

We would like to wish a Shubh Rām Navami to all our Hindu staff, patients and local communities who are observing this special festival!

26/03/2026

Automated text messages help to raise awareness of Martha's Rule

Leeds Children’s Hospital is the first children's hospital in the UK to launch a new fully automated initiative to increase awareness of Martha’s Rule and reduce barriers to parents accessing the service.

Martha’s Rule is a national patient safety initiative to support the early detection of deterioration by ensuring the concerns of patients and families are listened to and acted upon.

Starting in March 2026 automated text messages have been sent to parents and carers within four hours of every child's admission to Leeds Children's Hospital. Texts contain information about Martha's Rule and how parents and carers can raise concerns if they think their child's condition is deteriorating during their admission.

Leeds Children's Hospital has had a parent escalation pathway in place since 2022. If concerned about deterioration, parents and carers can request a rapid review from the Leeds Inpatient Outreach Nursing Service (LIONS). The new text message service is increasing awareness and improving access to this service.

Use of bots to scan admissions and send text messages automatically ensures that no one is missed. Access to information on a smartphone is more equitable - compared to a traditional poster or leaflet - because it can be easily translated or presented in an accessible format, and it's much harder to lose!

During the first month of this initiative we caught up with Francesca when she was caring for her son - 19-week-old Junior - in Leeds Children's Hospital. Francesca had received the text and told us:

'It's brilliant. Having it on your phone means it's quick, it's in your hand, it gives you the opportunity to read more about Martha's Rule in your own time... Martha's Rule is so important, it makes you feel heard and it could save a life'

Find out more about the implementation of Martha's Rule at Leeds Children's Hospital here: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/services/deteriorating-child-and-marthas-rule/

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

25/03/2026

Lifetime Achievement Award for Dr Susan Picton!

Dr Susan Picton was recently presented with a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by the Children and Young People’s Cancer and Leukaemia Association (CCLG) at their Member Awards hosted in Manchester.

Susan is a Consultant Paediatric and Adolescent Oncologist here at Leeds Children’s Hospital where she recently took on the additional role of Interim Clinical Director.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Susan’s 40 year contribution to children’s cancer, including 30 years here at Leeds. The award nomination referenced Susan’s contribution to continuous improvement in patient care, clinical research, development of national guidelines as well as various regional and national leadership roles.

The award also recognised Susan’s considerable contribution to children’s cancer services in developing countries. Susan founded and continues to advise a chemotherapy service for Ugandan children with retinoblastoma. She is also Lead Doctor for a twinning children’s cancer programme between Cameroon and Leeds as part of the World Child Cancer initiative.

Susan was presented with her award by Dr Sarah Stoneham (Chair of CCLG)

Susan said:

'I have enjoyed all of my career but particularly my time here in Leeds. I have seen the chances of survival improve hugely in almost all childhood cancers during this time. I have been fortunate to be able to work with colleagues from around the world in clinical trials and I have loved working in Africa developing affordable treatments for children in Cameroon and Uganda'

We are extremely proud of Susan’s achievements and we’re delighted that she has been recognised with such a fantastic award!

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Candlelighters CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association

25/03/2026

Help make Easter ‘Egg-stra’ special for patients at Leeds Children’s Hospital this year!

We have teamed up with Leeds Hospitals Charity to create some cracking ways to help make Easter special for patients spending the holidays in hospital.

🎁Choose a gift or gifts from our Amazon Wishlist and they will be delivered straight to the hospital: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/K1P65COT63NH

🥚Donate Easter Eggs or sweet alternatives by booking at drop-off slot on Monday 1 April. Please email fundraising@leedshospitalscharity.org.uk to book your slot.

Find out more about how to support patients spending at the Easter holiday in hospital here: https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/appeal/easter

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

24/03/2026

Last week we hosted a Nursing Recruitment Open Day for new nurses with an interest in starting their career at Leeds Children's Hospital.

Our nurses shared the range of specialities and training available, gave tours of our facilities and talked about the amazing education and support packages available for new nurses in Leeds.

We welcomed over 300 attendees at the event and it was amazing to talk to so many nurses at the start of their children's nursing careers.

Thank you to everyone who attended. Here's a little snapshot from the day!

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

23/03/2026

Transplant Team parkrun takeover!

Our Children’s and Adult’s Transplant Sport teams are planning a parkrun take-over at the Roundhay Park parkrun and parkwalk on Saturday 23 May, 9am.

In partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant, the team are inviting hospital colleagues, transplant recipients, friends, families and supporters to join the 5km walk or run to raise awareness of organ donation.

We would love to see as many people there as possible so whether you're a runner, walker or supporter - please check your diaries and join us if you can!

Roundhay Park parkrun is free to enter. Runners and walkers will need to register with parkrun before the event. Find out more about Roundhay Park parkrun here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/roundhay/

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Leeds Hospitals Charity

20/03/2026

Happy Eid Mubarak 2026!

Wishing a happy and peaceful Eid al-Fitr to everyone celebrating over the coming days.

18/03/2026

Raising awareness on Child Exploitation Awareness Day ✋🏻

Today is National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, an event that calls for collective action to unite communities, professionals and partners to protect children, young people and families from abuse through exploitation in all its forms.

Criminal and sexual exploitation continues to affect thousands of children across the UK each year. Young people can be groomed, coerced or manipulated into situations that place them at serious risk. In Leeds, exploitation remains a significant safeguarding concern.

Health professionals are often in a unique position to notice when something does not feel right. Today our Children and Midwifery Safeguarding Team and Hospital Youth Workers have been out and about sharing their knowledge and encouraging colleagues to recognise the signs of child exploitation and know how to act to protect children and young people.

Colleagues have joined the campaign by writing and sharing pledges on their hands which include:

'I will make time to listen'
'I will create a safe space for young people to talk'
'I will always advocate for victims'

Find more information about childhood exploitation and how to spot the signs here: https://stop-ce.org/

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust NWG Network

18/03/2026

Celebrating our FEES Service on Swallowing Awareness Day!

Today is Swallowing Awareness Day, a national event that raises awareness of how Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) help people living with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.

At Leeds Children's Hospital our SLTs play a big role in supporting children with a wide range of conditions to develop their swallow.

11-week-old Honey attended our Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) clinic today to have her swallow assessed, accompanied by mum Kate and dad Connor.

Our paediatric FEES service is the first in Yorkshire and was recently launched by our Speech and Language Therapists, in partnership with the Ear, Nose and Throat team, with cutting edge imaging equipment funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Honey was born with Coarctation of the Aorta and needed open heart surgery at just five weeks old. Following her surgery Honey has needed some help developing her swallow.

In the FEES clinic today specialists used a fibre optic endoscope (a tiny camera up the nose) to look inside Honey's throat and watch her swallow happening from the inside in real-time! ENT Consultant Ms Aikaterini Dritsoula reviewed Honey's airway and SLTs Louise and Vici assessed her swallow as she drank milk from a bottle.

Honey was absolute star throughout the procedure (Mum and Dad did well too!) and the team were really pleased with her progress. Following today's assessment Honey has been given the go-ahead to progress to un-thickened milk which is a big step forwards in her development.

Speech and Language Therapist Louise said:

'The FEES clinic is fantastic for patients like Honey who benefit from seeing a range of specialities in one appointment and use of the fibreoptic endoscope means that she hasn't had to have an additional x-ray. With the support of the service, Honey and her parents have been enabled to move forward on her feeding journey'

Thank you to Honey, Kate and Connor for sharing your experience of the FEES clinic and a huge shout out to all our amazing Speech and Language Therapists on Swallowing Awareness Day!

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

16/03/2026

Vote for Candlelighters! ✅

If successful this technology will be used to support patients and families at Leeds Children's Hospital!

Good luck to our friends at Candlelighters!🤞

📩 Please vote for us! 📩

We’re delighted to have made the final vote in the Lifelites 25 Community Project! 🙌

We’ve been shortlisted to receive an innovative assistive and sensory technology package for patients including sensory tents, VR head sets and iPads. This technology could transform patient’s experiences for the better. 🪄

We’d love it if you would vote for us to receive this incredible opportunity for the children and families we support. And please help to spread the word and secure more votes! 👇

https://www.lifelites.org/lifelites-25/community-voting/candlelighters/

📣 Voting closes on Monday 23rd March at 6pm.

16/03/2026

15/03/2026

Happy Mother's Day!

Patients across Leeds Children's Hospital have been busy all week preparing for Mothers' Day today with lots of help from our Hospital Play Leaders and Play Specialists.

On the Haematology and Oncology Ward, Oliver and Play Leader Zoe got their hands messy making Oliver's mum Laura a beautiful handprint canvas and a hand-painted picture frame!

When we spoke to Oliver on Friday he said he was hoping to spend Mother's Day at home and support Laura who is taking on a 20mile run - wow! 🏃‍♀️

Oliver's Dad James said:

'Huge thanks to Zoe and the team who have spent time with everyone on the ward today, making sure all the children have something amazing to give mums on Sunday'

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing mums out there!

We also want to share our appreciation with all the mums working or caring for children at Leeds Children's Hospital today and everyday. Thank you 🤗

Leeds Hospitals Charity Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust