• University of Manchester hands out gold award to Bolton NHS Foundation Trust for teaching standards
• Medical students on placement in Elderly Care and Microbiology provided a score of 4.98 out of 5
• University’s evaluation scheme helps recognise excellent standards in education of medical students

The University of Manchester has given Bolton NHS Foundation Trust a gold award for providing an ‘excellent standard’ to medical students who are on placement in Elderly Care and Microbiology.

Students in the fifth year of their medical degree, who are asked to complete an evaluation of each placement they attend, provided an average score of 4.98 out of 5 for their experience at Royal Bolton Hospital.

The evaluations highlight teams involved in the education of medical students who provide an excellent standard, which led to the University of Manchester to introduce Recognition of Excellence awards, based on the mean placement score.

Dr Francis Andrews, Medical Director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

We are incredibly proud of our status to delivering excellent standards when it comes to providing placements for the next generation of medical professionals.

“Medical placements are an important way to provide first-hand experience and for students to apply some of their learning to the real world.

“A lot of time and dedication goes in to ensuring each our students receive tailored support, as well as skills and knowledge, to develop their careers and excel in their fields.

Bolton welcomes a number of students in Elderly Care and Microbiology each year, where they are able to gain clinical experience in a hospital, including face-to-face patient contact, and complete work-based assessments, whilst being provided protected time to accommodate personal study and professional development.

Professor David McKee, Undergraduate Hospital Dean at the University of Manchester, said:

Bolton’s educational leadership has significantly contributed to achieving their score of 4.98 and a gold award.

“I recognise that delivering an excellent learning experience for students is a team effort. The Undergraduate Medical Education team are immensely proud of both our students’ achievements and our engaged and supportive educators, who students tell us make such a difference to their learning.

The gold award was presented to Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in a ceremony on Wednesday 16 July 2025.