Glasgow ECMC Paediatric centre delivers phase I/II trials to children and young adults in Scotland and the North East of England.
The Haematology/Oncology Department of the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow is the largest UK CCLG centre in Scotland and sees approximately 90 new cases of cancer a year, of which two thirds are solid or brain tumours.
The clinical trials service is embedded within the Children and Young Adult Cancer Unit at The Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow (opened June 2015).
In 2011 the Scottish Government established a Managed Service Network (MSN) for Children and Young People with Cancer. As a result cancer services for Children and Young people in Scotland are now delivered as a single cohesive service through working of MSN.
Paediatric Haematology is provided by 5 Consultant Haematologists, and there are a further three full time clinical Paediatric oncologists caring for children with solid tumours and brain tumours from the West of Scotland and beyond. The Royal Hospital for Children Oncology service also looks after patients from other principle treatment centres who are referred to Glasgow as per agreed pathways of MSN, or as required for consideration for Early Phase trials.
Radiotherapy facilities are available at the nearby Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and two dedicated Consultant Clinical Oncologists support this service.
Support services available through the Paediatric ECMC centre:
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Paediatric National Stem Cell Transplant Unit
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Apheresis service provided by the West of Scotland Blood Transfusion Service; this unit is supported by specialist in-house Paediatric Renal, Respiratory, Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Endocrinology Consultants
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Radiology Department which has ultrasound, CT and new MRI scanning facilities alongside nuclear medicine; there is also access to interventional radiology
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Targeted radio-nucleotide suite for children in the United Kingdom
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Histopathology service provided by 5 Paediatric pathologists
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Medical Genetics on site with a dedicated cancer genetics service
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Paediatric Clinical trials unit staffed by 1 Clinical Trial Co-ordinator, 3 Data Managers and 2 dedicated Research Nurses for early phase trials
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Dedicated pharmacist within the centre with lead responsibility for the conduct of early phase trials
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A dedicated Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) unit for teenagers (13 to16 years) & young adults (16 to 25 years) provides a separate, age specific, space both in the Royal Hospital for Children and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. Each unit has its own staff trained to look after the specific needs of this group of patients. There is a dedicated TCT support worker who acts as a befriender and information resource for teenagers and their families.
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“Home from Home” facilities available on the campus of the Royal Hospital for Children for families travelling long distances for treatment. This service provides brand new, family orientated accommodation which allows whole families to travel and stay while their children are having complex or innovative therapies. Families are housed in a series of apartments which can be configured to their needs and allows them to stay in Glasgow without the expense of dining out, laundry and travel. Within the new house there is also a large social area that allows families to provide informal support to one another.
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Prior to discharge follow up arrangements are discussed with the patient their family and additional support is provided the Paediatric Oncology Outreach Nursing service (POON; 3 in Glasgow). Patients and families are also supported by an oncology specific psychology team, CLIC Sergeant service and outreach nurses including and end of life palliative care team.
