As a regional and national referral centre for complex paediatric conditions, SCH delivers integrated healthcare including acute, community, and mental health services. The Trust is home to nationally commissioned services for rare diseases such as Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and hosts the Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Laboratory, a hub for genomic testing and innovation.

Research and Innovation Infrastructure

SCH has a strong research culture underpinned by its five-year Research & Innovation Strategy, which focuses on building capacity, fostering innovation, and creating partnerships. The Trust delivers over 300 research projects annually and hosts significant National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) infrastructure:

  • NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health (HRC PCH) – the only NIHR centre dedicated to developing child health technologies.
  • NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) – the UK’s first paediatric-focused CRDC, supporting more than 50 commercial studies each year.
  • Clinical Research Facility (CRF) – the first in the UK dedicated to paediatric research, equipped for early-phase and complex trials.

These facilities are supported by expert research nurses, coordinators, governance specialists, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) educators, ensuring compliance with Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) standards.

Clinical Trial Facilities and Future Expansion

Clinical trials are delivered through the Sheffield Children’s CRF, which includes dedicated research rooms, secure sample processing areas, and access to pharmacy and laboratory services. Advanced imaging and gait analysis facilities further enhance trial capabilities. Looking ahead, SCH is developing the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT) at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park— a £24 million, 42,000 sq.ft facility that will be a global first in paediatric health technology. The NCCHT will feature design and manufacturing spaces, a movement and rehabilitation centre, and a unique testbed environment for evaluating innovations in real-world settings.

Collaborative Partnerships

Collaboration is central to SCH’s research success. The Trust works closely with the University of Sheffield (UoS) and Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) through the South Yorkshire Children and Young People’s Health Research (SCYPHeR) initiative, which fosters cross-sector partnerships to address unmet needs in child health. SCH also collaborates nationally with NIHR Clinical Research Network (Yorkshire & Humber), the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the Children’s Hospital Alliance. Industry partnerships include global leaders such as Sanofi, Regeneron, Leo Pharma, Biomarin, and QED Therapeutics, with SCH serving as a Northern Prime Site for IQVIA and a preferential partner for ICON.

Specialist Technology and Innovation

SCH offers cutting-edge technologies including advanced imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound), genomics and molecular diagnostics, and cell and gene therapy handling capabilities. Through the NIHR HRC and NCCHT, SCH is pioneering AI-enabled solutions, virtual reality tools to reduce procedural anxiety, and home diagnostic platforms. These innovations are transforming paediatric care and positioning Sheffield as a global leader in child health technology.

Team Networks and Cross-Departmental Support

Research delivery is supported by multidisciplinary teams spanning clinical specialties, pharmacy, laboratory sciences, engineering, and social sciences. Embedded networks such as SCYPHeR, NIHR HRC, and NIHR CRDC ensure collaboration between clinicians, academics, and industry partners, driving innovation and impact.

Apart from peripheral blood stem cell harvests and donor lymphocyte harvests, apheresis activity is provided by external teams (NHS Blood Transplant (NHSBT) Therapeutic Apheresis service for leukapheresis and RBC/Plasma exchanges and Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust ECP team for extracorporeal photopheresis).

Licences, Accreditations, and Compliance

SCH holds an Human Tissue Authority (HTA) licence for human tissue storage. We are certified by JACIE (Joint Accreditation Committee of ISCT & EBMT) but this does not cover processing, storage or distribution of cells (D standards). This service is provided by the NHSBT Cellular and Molecular Therapy Laboratory with whom we have a comprehensive contract that includes R&D. We do not carry out chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell activity.

Track Record in Commercial and Non-Commercial Research

SCH has extensive experience delivering both commercial and non-commercial trials, including ATMP studies and early-phase research. Its reputation for efficiency and quality has earned repeat business from industry partners and designation as an NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centre.

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is uniquely positioned to lead world-class paediatric research and innovation. With its specialist facilities, strong academic and industry partnerships, and commitment to improving child health, SCH is shaping the future of paediatric care-regionally, nationally, and globally.

SCH are growing our capability in advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) research, having delivered first-in-human gene therapy trials, including Adeno-Associated Virus serotype 9 (AAV9) therapy for Dravet syndrome. The Trust is preparing trials for Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU) related neurodevelopmental disorders and works closely with the Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC) at UoS to enable seamless bench-to-bedside translation.

Governance is supported by an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product Committee and Early Phase Safety Review Committee, ensuring robust oversight for complex trials.