Leeds Children's Hospital

06/02/2026

We love these amazing new way-finding walls that have been popping up around Leeds Hospitals to help patients find their way to maternity services.

We're particularly pleased to see that Sherika and baby Julius have been back to see themselves on the wall!

Well done to our colleagues involved in this this project and to all the families who have taken part 💜

Leeds Hospitals Charity Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Thanks to your feedback, we’ve introduced new wall vinyls to help improve wayfinding to our maternity wards and departments.

We welcomed back Sherika with her baby Julius to see the finished vinyl outside the LGI postnatal ward - she took part as a way of giving something back to thank the team for the care she received.

The vinyls feature real patients and staff, maternity branding, and “Welcome” in many of the languages spoken by families in Leeds.

Thank you to Leeds Hospitals Charity for generously funding the project, and to all the patients who took part in the photography.

Look out for more vinyls and improved signage coming soon to St James's Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary. ✨

06/02/2026

Meet our newly qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioners!

Bex Toulson, Sophie Smith, Hannah Andreason, Lucy Thompson and Jen Brandon from Leeds Children's Hospital recently attended their graduation ceremony at The University of Sheffield having qualified as Advanced Clinical Practitioners.

Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are healthcare professionals, educated to master’s level or equivalent, with the skills and knowledge to allow them to expand their scope of practice to better meet the needs of the people they care for.

All nurses by background, Bex, Sophie, Hannah, Lucy and Jen have all qualified as ACPs via an apprenticeship route which means they have worked clinically throughout their training with study-time allocated within their roles.

Lucy said:

'...I have also gained so many new skills and can support improvements to be made to blend the medical and nursing teams cohesively and improve patient outcomes in the longer term’

Congratulations to all out newly qualified ACPs!

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

04/02/2026

Our Asthma Team The recently received a generous donation of equipment from the Asthma Relief Charity.

A new piece of equipment from NIOX measures FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) which is used in the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma. This new equipment has already been put to use in clinic, as demonstrated here by nine-year-old Skye!

Skye has been under the care of the Respiratory Service for the last five years. During this time she has been supported to develop a better understanding of her condition and how best to manage her symptoms. Skye has been amazing!

Huge thanks to the Asthma Relief Charity!

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

03/02/2026

We’re excited to share a ground-breaking new research study launching here in Leeds.

The HALO study will explore the lifelong impact of rare blood disorders and childhood blood cancers, including sickle cell disease, beta thalassaemia and acute leukaemias.

HALO is part of Child Health Outcomes Research at Leeds (CHORAL) – a partnership between experts here at Leeds Children's Hospital and University of Leeds to improve outcomes for children, funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity.

The study will link health records and hear directly from patients affected by these conditions. It’s the first-of-its-kind and aims to improve care, reduce health inequalities and support people to live healthier lives.

Find more information here: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/news/major-study-to-track-impacts-of-childhood-blood-disorders/

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

30/01/2026

Have you lost this bear? 🐻

We found this cute little fella looking a little lonely outside the x-ray department in Clarendon Wing.

We're taking good care of him but if you know where he lives please send us a message so we can get him home. Thank you!

30/01/2026

Our new Ambulatory Chemotherapy service is helping patients with cancer spend more time at home.

Teenagers and children receiving cancer treatment at Leeds Children’s Hospital are some of the youngest in the UK to benefit from home chemotherapy.

Home or ‘ambulatory’ chemotherapy is an alternative to being admitted to a hospital ward for chemotherapy. Patients who meet the criteria can leave the hospital connected to a backpack containing a pump which continuously administers their treatment whilst at home or outside the hospital setting.

Being at home means that patients can be more comfortable and better rested, socialise with friends and family, eat their favourite foods and be more distracted from their treatment. Caring for a child at home also eases the burden on parents and carers.

17-year-old Oscar and 15-year-old Evie are among the patients to benefit from Ambulatory Chemotherapy at Leeds Children's Hospital. Along with their families, Evie and Oscar have shared their experience to highlight the 'game-changing' difference that this service has been making.

Oscar told us:

'When I’m at home I can sleep better, it’s not noisy like in hospital, I can have friends and family over to see me more easily, I can see Toby (Oscar’s dog) and I can use my computer…'

Oscar's mum Charlie added:

'As a parent, when you have your child at home you feel like you can look after them, you don’t feel in the way. As a single parent there’s so much that you can’t do when you have a child in hospital for a long admission’

So far 7 patients between the ages of 8 and 17 have been treated on the Ambulatory Chemotherapy pathway at Leeds Children’s Hospital. The team have plans make the service available for even younger patients, pushing the boundaries of what has previously been possible in the UK.

You can read more about this amazing new service here: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/news/children-and-young-people-in-yorkshire-with-cancer-to-benefit-from-chemotherapy-at-home-thanks-to-innovative-treatment-at-leeds-childrens-hospital/

Watch an ITV Calendar report here: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/hospital-trials-new-at-home-treatment-for-young-cancer-patients/xl5pz9k

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Candlelighters

28/01/2026

A fond farewell to Sandra after 51 years!

Senior Sister Sandra Garbutt recently retired from Leeds Children’s Hospital after a 51 year nursing career in Leeds!

Sandra is a familiar face for patients and families attending our Outpatients Department where she has led the team for 30 years.

In 1975 Sandra started her nursing journey as a student nurse at St James’ University Hospital at the age of 19.

Sandra worked at Seacroft and Killingbeck Hospitals and soon fell in love with children’s nursing. In 1989 she took on the role of Children's Night Sister at Leeds General Infirmary. In 1996 She became Senior Sister for Children’s Outpatients Department at Leeds Children’s Hospital and never looked back.

Friday 23 January was Sandra's last official day at Leeds Children's Hospital and colleagues gathered to give Sandra a fabulous send off.

Matron Sarah Fletcher said:

‘Sandra will be remembered for her kindness, her compassion and the way she always makes time for anyone who needs her. To Sandra the children and families always come first. If she can make a difference to a child’s experience or give support to a struggling parent - she makes it happen.

A true professional, a compassionate leader, a kind and caring Children’s Nurse.’

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive Brendan Brown thanked Sandra for her extraordinary contribution to Children's Nursing and Leeds Hospitals.

We wish Sandra a very well-earned, long and happy retirement!

Read more here:
https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/news/childrens-nurse-sandra-celebrates-retirement-after-51-years-caring-for-children-and-families-in-leeds/

24/01/2026

Scoliosis Patient Event - 10 May

Patients with scoliosis and their families might be interested in attending this Scoliosis Support & Research event in Leeds on 10 May 2026, 10-4pm.

The event is an opportunity to better understand the condition and the potential treatments with talks, presentations and demonstrations from surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists.

Members of the Leeds Children's Hospital team have helped to organise the event and will also be speaking on the day.

Book places using the QR code.

23/01/2026

Amélie is star of the show! 🌟

This weekend 10 year old Amélie will star in Carriageworks Theatre pantomime, Pinocchio!

Amélie was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at just three weeks old but has never let her condition stop her from pursuing her love of dancing and performing.

The Leeds Children's Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Team have cared for Amélie since she was little and have always encouraged her to follow her dreams. On Thursday evening the team were in the audience showing their support which was a really special moment for Amélie and her family.

Amélie's mum Natasha said:

'The core team that we met on that first appointment in 2015 are (more or less) exactly the same today and have been there for every single one of Amélie's milestones. They're like a second family to us.'

Cystic Fibrosis Dietitian Jacqui was there to cheer on Amélie on Thursday evening:

'It was wonderful to see Amelie dancing and singing in the show. We are very proud of her. Amélie is a great role model in our service and truly inspiring!'

Well done Amélie and good luck with your shows this weekend!

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

23/01/2026

If your baby is born in January or February 2026, you'll be invited to take part in the NHS to help us understand what works well and what needs improvement. We would love to hear your feedback. Find out more: https://www.cqc.org.uk/news/tell-us-what-maternity-care-you-2026

23/01/2026

Huge thanks to Candlelighters and their supporters for this amazing upgrade to the décor in our Paediatric Radiotherapy Department at St James' University Hospital. These spaces now look fantastic and will make a huge difference to the experience of patients and their families.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

19/01/2026

🏥 Hospital can be a lonely and unfamiliar place for a child.

There are new faces, strange sounds, and long days away from home.

It can be overwhelming and isolating; that’s why the Play Team at Leeds Children's Hospital means so much...💜

They’re a familiar, friendly presence in a place that can feel frightening. Whether it’s through a game, some creative time, or just a reassuring chat, they help children feel safe, supported, and seen.

Play brings comfort and normality to even the toughest hospital days - helping children smile, express themselves, and feel less alone.

Your support helps make that possible for children like Robin 💜
https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/Appeal/play