Work has started on the advancement of the Bolton College of Medical Sciences (BCMS), a new medical and clinical skills training centre located at the Royal Bolton Hospital site in Farnworth. It comes after Bolton Council’s planning committee granted planning permission for the development in June.
Bolton College of Medical Sciences, which is set to open in 2024, will provide unparalleled training opportunities for both aspiring and experienced healthcare professionals. Furthermore, it will serve as a transformational blueprint for training NHS staff.
Bolton College of Medical Sciences will provide people with a direct route into clinical healthcare employment. This is with an emphasis on hands-on, skill-based learning in a real-world hospital setting. The project is in collaboration between the University of Bolton, Bolton College, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, and Bolton Council.
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Additional courses to be offered at Bolton College of Medical Sciences
BCMS will also offer opportunities for ongoing professional development for current NHS staff. This is in addition to a variety of new courses and apprenticeships that will offer entry-level and higher-level skill development for those aged 16 and up. Apprenticeships will be expanded to include Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, as well as Nursing Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships in Care Leadership and Management.
BCMS, which received a £20 million grant from the Levelling-Up Fund last year, will train approximately 3000 students each year. It is expected to contribute £150 million to the local economy over its life once it is operational.
The facility’s construction, led by contractor Willmott Dixon, will generate a minimum local spend of £6 million. This is primarily through local employment and supply-chain expenditure. The BCMS foundation is currently being laid, with the construction of the building frame set to begin next month.
Additional parking for hospital staff will be offered during BCMS construction. They will replace those spaces that will be displaced by the development of the BCMS site. BCMS will add 250 parking spaces to the current parking lot once it is completed. The first intake of BCMS students is set to begin in 2024.
