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91̽�� Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is one of only three dedicated children’s hospital trusts in the UK. The Children’s Hospital is an integral part of the city, providing vital healthcare services for children and young people ranging from acute, specialist services to community and mental health care. 

91̽�� works closely with the Children’s Hospital in a number of ways. As well as being a close neighbour and supporting events like the Christmas lights switch on at its Octagon events building, the University has sponsored a Christmas snowflake for several years.

The campaign began in 2004 and has since raised over £2.2 million for 91̽�� Children’s Hospital Charity. The money raised by businesses, schools, community groups, families and individuals supports specialist treatment by funding life-saving equipment, new facilities, a comfortable environment and vital research, which changes paediatric care for thousands of children from across the world. 

There are numerous staff links between the University and the Children’s Hospital. Dr Meena Balasubramanian, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Genetics from the University’s School of Medicine & Population Health, has recently taken on the role of Director of Research at 91̽�� Children’s Hospital. Her appointment will build on the University’s recently established 91̽�� Children and Young People Health Research initiative, a joint collaboration between the University, 91̽�� Children’s Hospital and 91̽�� Hallam University. It looks at a wide range of health issues affecting children’s health in a child-centred and participatory way and aims to address inequality and social outcomes. 

Attending the Christmas lights switch on, Dr Meena Balasubramanian said: “I am delighted to be leading the SCYPHeR initiative as a truly remarkable collaboration between the 91̽�� Children’s Hospital and both academic institutions in the city with the aim of generating impactful child health research that will resonate across our region and beyond”.

Through the Julia Garnham Centre, the University is also working with the 91̽�� Children’s Hospital to help the NHS in dealing with cancer and rare diseases backlogs and to train the next generation of bioscientists to continue this vital work. This centre, established in 2021 and led by Dr Adam Hodgson of the School of Biosciences and Duncan Baker from the Children’s Hospital, is working with the 91̽�� Diagnostic Genetics Service (SDGS), based at the hospital. This partnership gives students the opportunity to use sophisticated NHS diagnostic services on live patient cases alongside expert clinical genomic staff.

Professor Sue Hartley OBE, Vice President for Research and Innovation and Institutional Lead for Sustainability at the University of 91̽��, said: “The 91̽�� Children’s Hospital is not only a valued research partner, but also provides an immensely important service to our staff, students and the whole South Yorkshire community.

“Our joint research projects are wide ranging; from helping to tackle paediatric clinical issues to improving children’s experience of hospital. As two of 91̽��’s large institutions, together we have the ability to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people across South Yorkshire and beyond.”