£30m NHS training college to be built in Bolton

A £30m college to train NHS students will be built in Bolton after receiving planning permission.

Due to open in 2022, Bolton College of Medical Sciences (BCMS) is expected to ‘transform’ how NHS workforces are trained in the UK which should ease staffing pressures and improve levels of care.

BCMS is claimed to be the first of its kind in the UK due to its new model of partnership, a unique teaching and learning environment, and combination of training provision across disciplines, professions and agencies.

It will focus on learning within a healthcare culture, with practical training within simulated hospital environments. It will be able to teach 3,000 students a year, with around 1,000 apprentices in a range of health and social care roles.

The 7,600sqm site is located at the Bolton NHS Trust hospital site in Farnworth and is being developed as a joint venture between the University of Bolton, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton Council, and Bolton College.

Bill Webster, Principal of Bolton College, said: ‘This is an incredibly important milestone for Bolton College of Medical Science, allowing us to move forward with this innovative project.

‘Our health and social care courses are the largest fastest growing part of our curriculum and this marks a new era of healthcare skills and training. BCMS will benefit people locally and beyond, through improving healthcare provision and helping to combat pressures on the NHS workforce.

‘We would like to thank everyone that has supported us in reaching this point, and we look forward to working closely with our partners again as we now focus our efforts towards construction work starting on site.’

Earlier this year, NewStart visited Bolton to meet the council’s chief executive, Tony Oakman to discuss Bolton’s £1bn regeneration plans, why people think they are ‘bloody mad’ for buying a shopping centre, and how Bolton can benefit from its proximity to Manchester.