\n The long-trailed Institute Medical Sciences, built on the grounds of Royal Bolton Hospital on Minerva Road in Farnworth, held its grand opening this week.\n<\/p>\n
\n University Chancellor, the Earl of St Andrews George Windsor, welcomed guests to the opening ceremony.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: \u201cI am delighted to welcome you to this special celebration marking two landmark milestones in the history of our University.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cToday we officially open the University\u2019s Institute of Medical Sciences building, which is home to our Medical School, which welcomed its first cohort in September, and the Institute of Medicine.\n<\/p>\n
\n The Chancellor and VIP guests cut the ribbon to officially open the Institute of Medical Sciences building (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cAs you can see, this building has been designed to provide the very best facilities in which healthcare professionals can study and develop their skills.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt is fitting that the opening of the building coincides with the celebration of the University\u2019s 200th anniversary.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n The Chancellor with the plaque at the Institute of Medical Sciences (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh)\n<\/p>\n
\n The 200th anniversary marks the milestone since the university\u2019s predecessor institution, the Bolton Mechanics Institute, first opened in the town.\n<\/p>\n
\n The opening ceremony included a plaque being unveiled by the chancellor and then a ribbon cutting by Mayor of Bolton Cllr David Chadwick.\n<\/p>\n
\n Some of the first cohort of University of Greater Manchester medical students who started their studies in September (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh)\n<\/p>\n
\n University acting vice chancellor Dr Greg Walker said: : \u201cIt is humbling to think that we are part of an institution that over the course of 200 years has remained true our mission to provide excellent education and training for the people of Bolton and beyond.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe University of Greater Manchester is a local institution with international reach.\n<\/p>\n
\n Dr Greg Walker, acting vice chancellor (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWhen we opened our doors as a mechanics\u2019 institute in 1825, it would have been impossible to envisage the global role we now have.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt is only by working with our partners in Bolton that we have been able this remarkable feat of opening a full Medical School.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt would have been impossible to achieve this without the support of the NHS Trust, the Council and our MPs, especially Yasmin Qureshi.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n He added: \u201cIt is truly apt today that we mark 200 years of history by heralding and inaugurating something that doesn\u2019t mark the past, but with something that is built for the future, this superb new Medical School built in the grounds of the Royal Bolton Hospital.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Also attending the ceremony was Bolton NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Professor Fiona Noden.\n<\/p>\n
\n Professor Fiona Noden, chief executive of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh)\n<\/p>\n
\n She said: \u201cBeing here, sharing in this moment, fills me with immense pride, not just as chief executive of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, but as someone who has called Bolton home.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cFrom my very first days in healthcare, one lesson has stood out above all, the importance of compassion, not just for our colleagues, but above all, for our patients.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cCompassionate leadership, for me, is about setting the tone from the top \u2014 making sure that every decision, every innovation, and every policy is rooted in what\u2019s best for our patients.\n<\/p>\n
\n The grand opening coincided with the university’s 200th anniversary (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe year 2025 marks a pivotal chapter in Bolton\u2019s healthcare journey, as the University of Greater Manchester welcomes its first cohort of medical students to the Institute of Medical Sciences, right here in the grounds of our Royal Bolton Hospital.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI can\u2019t help but feel a sense of awe as I look around at this state-of-the-art facility, knowing the opportunities it will create for so many.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThis building is more than just bricks and mortar, it\u2019s a symbol of hope, ambition and our shared commitment to the future.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n She added: \u201cAcross the NHS, we are facing significant challenges: shortages in key specialties, ever-increasing demand for our services, and the ongoing need to support the wellbeing and development of our medical workforce at every stage of their careers.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cBy working together in these world-class facilities, we are not just responding to challenges \u2014 we are shaping the future.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Visually impaired artist and UGM PhD student Dr Victoria Claire donated a piece of her art, a sculpture called \u2018Time\u2019, to the university to be displayed in the Institute of Medical Sciences.\n<\/p>\n
\n She said: \u201cThe Medical School gives hope to everybody no matter what adversity we suffer and what kind of medical situations we are in.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n The institute has been one of the most anticipated developments the borough has seen in recent years and is expected to train around 3,000 medical professionals annually.\n<\/p>\n
\n Dr Victoria Claire with Cllr Nick Peel, leader of Bolton Council (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh)\n<\/p>\n
\n Council leader Cllr Nick Peel said: \u201cI think we can all agree what a fabulous facility this is, it is an absolutely amazing transformation we have seen.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThis is something we should all be proud of. It will inspire generations of Bolton residents to become doctors and medical professionals that are the backbone of our NHS.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n University pro vice chancellor of medicine<\/a> Professor Iqbal Singh said the institute could help address the region\u2019s health<\/a> inequalities.\n<\/p>\n \n \n He said: \u201cWe have state-of-the-art technology and exceptional training<\/a> and learning facilities for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.\n<\/p>\n \n ALSO READ: New \u00a340M Bolton med school ‘comes to life’ as building work finished<\/a>\n<\/p>\nUniversity pro vice chancellor of medicine Professor Iqbal Singh (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh)\n<\/p>\n