Supporting Specialist Care for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland
At The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, a leading children’s cancer charity Northern Ireland, we are committed to ensuring that children and young people living with cancer or complex blood disorders receive the very best care throughout their treatment journey.
Working closely with the Children’s cancer Unit in RBHSC, we support the continuous learning and professional development of the incredible multi-disciplinary teams who care for patients and families every day. This support can include:
- Funding attendance at specialist conferences.
- Providing access to advanced training opportunities, and
- Supplying equipment or materials that help improve treatment, recovery, and patient care.
CCLG Annual Conference in Manchester
In March, the UK’s leading professional conference for those working in paediatric and AYA oncology took place in Manchester. The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity was delighted to fund a group of nurses and doctors from the Children’s Haematology Unit in Belfast to attend the event.
The annual CCLG conference provides a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals from across the UK to share the latest developments in children’s and young people’s cancer research, treatment, and care. More than 500 delegates attended each day, taking part in expert presentations, multidisciplinary sessions, and clinical insight workshops led by some of the leading voices in paediatric oncology.
Bethany Mitchell, Consultant Haematologist at the Children’s Cancer Unit in RBHSC, said:
“It is always wonderful to get the opportunity to attend CCLG. It is a fantastic forum to network and collaborate with colleagues from across the UK. But it also helps us keep ourselves relevant and up to date with all the latest advancements in the field of Paediatric Haemato-oncology for the benefit of our patients. We have a huge appreciation for CCUC for funding so many of our team to attend!”
All-Island Children’s Palliative Care Conference in Limerick
The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity also provided funding for members of the Play and Social Work teams from the Children’s Cancer Unit in Belfast to attend the All-Island Children’s Palliative Care Conference in Limerick in April.
This year’s conference focused on fostering resilience and diversity in children’s palliative care, bringing together professionals, researchers, advocates, and families from across Ireland to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the diversity of the palliative care community.
Before attending, members of the Play and Social Work teams highlighted several goals they hoped to achieve during the conference, including:
- Improving knowledge and practical skills in palliative care and bereavement support.
- Gaining a deeper understanding of families’ experiences during difficult stages of their child’s treatment journey.
- Bringing valuable learning back to share with the wider multi-disciplinary team in the Children’s Haematology Unit in Belfast.
- Networking and learning from others working across children’s palliative care services.
As a dedicated children’s cancer charity in Northern Ireland, we understand the importance of supporting every aspect of a child and family’s experience — not only medical treatment, but also emotional wellbeing and compassionate care.
Posterior Fossa Conference in Copenhagen
Children’s cancer care relies on a strong multi-disciplinary team approach, and we are proud to support a wide range of healthcare professionals working within the Haematology Unit in RBHSC.
Recently, we funded Melanie Douglas and her colleague Louise from the Physiotherapy team to attend the 3rd Global Meeting on Posterior Fossa Syndrome in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The conference focused on advancing scientific and clinical understanding of Cerebellar Mutism / Posterior Fossa Syndrome — a condition that can affect some children following brain surgery. By attending this specialist event, the team gained valuable knowledge and insight that will help improve rehabilitation and recovery support for children receiving treatment within the Children’s Cancer Unit.
At The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, we remain committed to investing in education, innovation, and professional development so that children and young people receiving treatment for cancer and complex blood conditions at RBHSC continue to benefit from world-class care close to home.
