The University of Bolton is asking the local community to help name a state-of-the-art simulation suite in its new £40m Institute of Medical Sciences building.

People are invited to nominate health ‘heroes’ with a strong connection to Bolton, who have done remarkable things to help or inspire others.

For example, this could be a health worker who has gone above and beyond to deliver outstanding care, a fundraising champion or unsung volunteer, or an individual who has inspired others while on their own health journey.

The simulation suite will be used to help train the next generation of health professionals at the Institute of Medical Sciences. The building is located on the site of the Royal Bolton Hospital, Farnworth, and due to open in September 2024.

Once complete, the facility will deliver training to approximately 3,000 learners per year. It will transform the way that nurses and other clinical care professionals are trained, including doctors, should the University be successful with its application to the General Medical Council (GMC) for medical school status.

Nominations can be made by completing this online survey, and should outline the name of the individual, their connection to Bolton, and why they should be recognised in this way. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday 17 April.

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of representatives from the University of Bolton, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Bolton Council – the three stakeholders behind the development of the Institute of Medical Sciences.

Professor George Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, says:

The Institute of Medical Sciences is a project of national significance and will be seen as a flagship facility in healthcare training, so we thought it would be a fantastic way to honour a health hero in the Bolton community.

“We are incredibly proud of the community we serve and know there are some amazing stories of individuals who have gone above and beyond to help others. I look forward to reading the nominations!

The Institute of Medical Sciences was awarded £20m of Government Levelling Up Funding with the £20m remainder being funded by the University. It is the single biggest capital investment into healthcare in Bolton in decades.