Facilities
Institute of Medical Sciences
The Institute of Medicine will be based in the The University of Bolton’s Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), in the grounds of the Royal Bolton Hospital in Farnworth. The £40m project is expected to welcome its first cohort of students in September 2025, subject to General Medical Council (GMC) approval.
Being built on the grounds of the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s site, the project will radically reinvent how healthcare students are trained in the UK and is due to be complete by April 2024.
The state-of-the-art building will be home to six simulation suites, with each able to accommodate 30 students at once. These simulation suites will replicate different types of hospital ward with industry-grade equipment, creating a highly accurate hospital setting in a simulated and controlled environment.
A state-of-the-art 4D room will take this immersive and interactive learning experience further.
Two “high-fidelity” suites have been specifically designed for conducting controlled assessments of clinical practice. One of these suites has also been designed to easily transform into an operating theatre. In addition to these high-fidelity suites, there will also be a community simulation suite. This room will create a home-like environment, simulating the types of issues that clinicians deal with when providing care in a non-hospital setting.
The IMS design team has worked extensively alongside senior clinicians at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, ensuring the layout and equipment create an accurate and highly tuned environment that will prepare future clinicians for the scenarios they will face.
The medical school will also establish partnerships with local healthcare providers, hospitals and clinics to facilitate clinical placements and provide students with real-world experience. Such collaborations will enable students to work alongside experienced medical professionals and gain exposure to diverse medical settings, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.