Sheffield Sleep Experts Share Life-Changing Expertise with Ukrainian Doctors

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, has welcomed Ukrainian doctors to share its internationally recognised expertise in children’s sleep medicine.

Dr Viktoriya Betsal and Dr Anastasiia Sabadosh are from Khmelnytskyi City Children’s Hospital, a city in Ukraine which, became a Twin City of Sheffield in December 2022. The doctors were welcomed to Sheffield Children’s to receive hands-on training from Sheffield’s specialist sleep team which includes sleep coordinators, practitioners, technicians, physiologists, nurses and consultants.

Dr Anastasiia a doctor of functional diagnostics medicine and Dr Viktoriya, a doctor of physical and rehabilitation medicine, both from Khmelnytskyi City Children’s Hospital, said:

“Back home, tension is high and the war is difficult. It’s been incredible to step back, reflect, and learn new ways to manage care in our hospital. We are full of ideas – from how colleagues work together, talking about mental health, clinical guidelines to workspace organisation. It’s an amazing opportunity, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has made it possible.”

Children in Ukraine have been severely impacted by the war, with hundreds receiving blast injuries.  Children are experiencing bereavement, frequent air raid sirens, shelling and disruptions to home life and education, alongside sleep issues.

The visit to Sheffield Children’s Sleep Service provided the opportunity for vital expertise to be shared between colleagues. Thanks to new equipment provided by their government, the Ukrainian team now has the opportunity to set up a second children’s sleep unit in Khmelnytskyi beyond the country’s only existing facility in Kyiv.

The Sheffield Children’s Sleep Service treats sleep apnoea, insomnia, narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. It is home to the UK’s first and only paediatric “Sleep House” – a five-bed, home-from-home sleep unit designed to ensure a comfortable, child-friendly environment whilst undergoing tests. The goal is that Dr Victoriya and Dr Anastasiia will take back their learning to Khmelnytskyi City Children’s Hospital and use this to create their own specialist sleep provision.

Professor Heather Elphick, Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Sheffield Children’s, said: “This partnership is deeply meaningful and it’s been a privilege to meet Viktoriya and Anastasiia and share our experience and knowledge expertise to support them in creating life-changing services for children and adults living through unimaginable challenges.

“Our service at Sheffield Children’s started off small too, and we’ve now built a service which is leading in children’s health. I hope they can do the same in Ukraine.”

Viktoriya and Anastasiia have learnt how to set up and interpret sleep studies, diagnose and treat breathing-related disorders and insomnia – two of the most common problems they see in children and frontline soldiers. They are also taking inspiration from Sheffield Children’s unique Sleep House design, staff pathways, and integrated care systems to inform their plans at home.

Viktoriya and Anastasiia said:
“Sheffield is our city’s partner, and we feel that connection deeply. Like Sheffield’s sleep service, we’re starting small – few facilities, big ambition. We’ve learned so much here, not just about medicine, but about how a hospital works as a system – departments working together, communication between staff, and how healthcare can be shared and supported across hospitals. Even small things like leaflets and resources are incredibly helpful. Sheffield is absolutely beautiful, so green and everyone is so friendly, and welcoming, it’s been a great opportunity.”

The training is part of a wider programme led by the Children’s Hospital Alliance (CHA), which is facilitating partnerships between NHS services and Ukrainian hospitals. The two doctors visiting Sheffield is part of an eight-strong group receiving specialist training across six English hospital trusts. The aim is to strengthen healthcare in Ukraine despite the ongoing war, while creating opportunities for shared learning.

This programme is funded by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the World Bank (Health Enhancement and Lifesaving – HEAL), with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s country office in Ukraine.

Alexandra Norrish, managing director of the Children’s Hospital Alliance (CHA), said: “The impact of war on children and young people is devastating and their need for ongoing specialist healthcare has increased significantly. Our expert staff across children’s services in England have worked closely with the Ukrainian participants and providing invaluable training. We recognise the huge challenges of providing healthcare in Ukraine and we are delighted that the programme will help to improve vital services for children. It has given both NHS and Ukrainian healthcare staff a unique opportunity to learn from each other and we are so proud of our NHS for supporting such vital work.”