The Principal Treatment Centre (PTC)
There are 21 specialist hospitals for treating children with Cancer across the UK and Ireland, when a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, they will be treated at one of these specialist centres also known as a Principal Treatment Centre.
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital is the West Midlands Children’s Cancer Network Principal Treatment Centre is also a large research centre for paediatric oncology and can offer several clinical trials.
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital is one of only two centres in the UK caring for children with eye cancer (Retinoblastoma).
There is a large multidisciplinary team including doctors, nurses, Nursing associates, clinical support workers, students, ward clerks, housekeepers, nurse specialists, advanced nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, play therapists, dieticians, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists.
There will be a number of these involved in the care and treatment pathway of the child and young person with cancer.
Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Units (POSCU’s)
Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Units are our network of designated hospitals which can provide some treatment closer to home.
All hospitals that provide shared care for children and young people with cancer are accredited to provide the correct services and high standards of care to ensure that your child is safe.
The Principal Treatment Centre works closely with the excellent network of shared care units.
We have 6 POSCU’s that support the West Midlands Principal Treatment Centres.