The University of Bolton’s strategic aim of sustainable business growth will be strengthened by the establishment of a School of Medicine. The School of Medicines strategic objectives therefore are centred on Finance, The undergraduate medical programme (MBChB), Compliance and Reputation.

From the University of Bolton Nursing Department, a operating department practitioner (ODP) working in an operating theatre

Courses

Radiology short course

Strategy

The School of Medicine is well placed to achieve these objectives by building on the past experience of the University of Bolton to establish prestige programmes and will:

• Establish a centre for high quality programmes in medicine that aim to be world-class and student-focussed.

• Establish our unique selling point with focus on mental health, emergency medicine, radiology and public health.

• To establish long-lasting relationships with external stakeholders and other educational institutions.

• Enhance the reputation of the Bolton Royal as a leading-edge clinical and educational establishment in order to be attractive to existing staff and potential employees.

• Drive innovation and research in health and education.

• Create an environment to attract high-calibre staff

• Work closely with the local community to increase opportunities building on the University’s close connections with the local community and its regional strengths in the wider North West.

Departments

The School of Medicine will be established in four “departments”:

1. Establishment of short courses aimed at qualified doctors and health professionals which will raise the profile of the University as a provider of medical education and training.

2. Establishment of postgraduate programmes for qualified doctors at Level 7 and Level 8.

3. Establishment of a surgical simulation centre which will raise the profile of the university in the healthcare sector.

4. Establishment of an undergraduate programme leading to a qualifying medical degree, this will be the flagship programme of the School of Medicine.

Roadmap

The University of Bolton is well poised to develop a School of Medicine that will integrate postgraduate programmes, short courses and, ultimately, an undergraduate medical school.

The University already has experience in the healthcare sector with its Faculty of Health which has established relationships with placement providers in the vicinity of the University.

The School of Medicine is very keen to establish very close links with the local community and has an ambition that many, if not most, of its home students for medicine will come from Bolton and the surrounding areas. Thus, it is vital that the School builds on the existing links and partnerships in the area.

Due to the lag phase in the establishment of an undergraduate medical school – due to both GMC processes and the reasons outlined in the last section - the decision was made to begin the establishment of the School of Medicine with short courses and postgraduate programmes neither of which require GMC approval – but they do set standards for training.

This phased approach will establish us with the LEP’s, local clinical educators, the GMC and Health Education England. Successful implementation of these programmes will give us a track record in medicine. It will also allow us to work with the Trusts to calculate capacity of the local placement providers and to determine how many Trusts we would require. It is our intention that the Royal Bolton would be the “hub hospital”.

Consideration will also be given to Level 7, Masters level programmes, such as diabetes care but also in the specialties below for those that cannot commit 4 years to a programme.