Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH) is run by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and is the UK’s largest and busiest children’s hospital.
The Manchester CRF at RMCH was established in 2009 and was the first specialist children’s facility in the North West and is one of only a handful across the UK. We have access to all of the hospital’s state-of-the-art equipment and resources, so children can take part in our research studies alongside on-going treatment. Our experienced staff are specialists in children’s care, with extensive experience in both research studies and clinical practice.
To provide a vibrant, colourful and engaging environment for our patients and their families, and our staff, the facility has a themes of ‘senses’, with five individually decorated rooms based on five senses; see, smell, taste, hear and feel. Each room reflects the exploratory and researching characteristics of the facility, based on drawings by children treated on the ward.
Why is research for children and young people important?
Our research doctors and nurses, and other research staff, work with children and young people, and their families, to carry out all types of clinical research. We specifically focus on the testing of new treatments and medicines to ensure that they are safe and effective in children of all ages up to 19 years old.
Being based in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital means we have access to all of the hospital’s state-of the art equipment and resources and this makes it possible for young people to take part in our studies alongside ongoing treatment.
What to expect taking part in research at Manchester CRF at RMCH
Questions you may have about taking part in research at Manchester CRF at RMCH
The type of research study children take part it will determine how long their stay at Manchester CRF at RMCH lasts, and the frequency of visits they need to make. Study stays can last from a few hours to several days.
When overnight stays are required we suggest bringing an overnight bag with toiletries, pyjamas and a change of clothes. We also provide pull-down beds at the side of the child’s bed for one parent or carer to stay overnight.
The same doctor may care for you during your stay. If this is not the case, your doctor will be aware that you are taking part in a research study. The nurses that care for you will not be the same as the ones you see during your appointments. This is because our specialist paediatric research nurses only work within the research facility.
Some of our facilities to help you enjoy your visit to Manchester CRF at RMCH
A large, bright, spacious play room is available to children and young people of all ages and abilities, who are visiting our children’s clinical research facility throughout their visit.
The play room provides:
- a creative corner
- imaginary play area
- multimedia corner
- a quiet sensory area
- books and music
We provide access to a large selection of toys and games which are age/stage appropriate for all our patients.
There is a multi-sensory room situated a short distance from the facility allowing patients to experience therapeutic play resources.
In addition to this, the hospital has a large outdoor play area situated on the roof of the building which offers a variety of bikes, scooters and outdoor activities meeting the needs of all our patients.
Access to the hospital’s multi-sensory room and outdoor roof garden can be obtained through our Play Specialist.
The play specialist focuses on providing developmental, therapeutic and specialised play techniques for all ages and diversities in an effort to fulfill emotional, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional trauma whilst in the hospital setting.
Play specialists are professionally trained to provide distraction, diversional or participation therapies with the child/young person undergoing painful or invasive procedures. They also use preparation and distraction techniques, and provide post-procedural play, as appropriate.
The chill out room has soothing colours and lights, comfy seating including ‘bean bag’ style furniture and footrests.
It encompasses the exploratory and researching characteristics of the facility, based on drawings by children treated on the ward and pupils from local schools and colleges.
It includes top-of-the-range equipment including a flat-screen, wall-mounted TV and games consoles, following feedback from young patients.
The parents room is a place where parents and carers can go to take time away from the clinical setting of the ward whilst children enjoy the play or chill out rooms.
It features calming hues and the wall art depicts a summer orchard. The room also includes comfortable ‘lazy boy’ seats so that parents can relax and unwind, as well as catering facilities (including fridge and microwave); a flat-screen, wall-mounted television, and small tables for refreshments.
Detailed Access Guide
A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside.
We have teamed up with Access Able to provide a Detailed Access Guide to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available.