Work has begun to build a new medical and clinical skills training college set to train thousands of professionals at the Royal Bolton Hospital site. The Bolton College of Medical Sciences (BCMS) is due to open in 2024 and its leaders say it will provide unrivalled training opportunities for aspiring and existing healthcare professionals, and is expected to serve as a transformational blueprint for training NHS staff.
The work follows the decision from Bolton Council’s planning committee to grant planning permission for the development in June. The college is a collaborative project between the University of Bolton, Bolton College, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Bolton Council.
The BCMS intends to give people a direct route into clinical healthcare employment, with a focus on practical, skills-based learning in a live hospital environment. In addition to a range of new courses and apprenticeships that will provide entry-level and higher-level skills development for those aged 16 and over, BCMS will also deliver continual professional development opportunities for existing NHS staff.
