The Bolton NHS Foundation Trust submitted plans on 12 May 2026 for a new modern main entrance at Royal Bolton Hospital in Farnworth. The proposed upgrade is designed to create a more welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors, featuring a larger reception area and improved food and drink facilities.
The project is being managed in partnership with iFM Bolton Ltd, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the hospital trust. According to Fiona McDonnell, Managing Director of iFM Bolton Ltd and Director of Estates and Facilities, the design aims to reduce the anxiety often associated with hospital visits by providing a more accessible and comfortable arrival space.
If the plans receive approval, the redevelopment will be fully funded and delivered by an external partner, meaning there will be no impact on the hospital trust’s budget. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, with the project anticipated to be completed by the spring of 2027.
This entrance upgrade is part of ongoing efforts to improve facilities at the hospital, which is one of the busiest in the North West. Other current work at the site includes a £38 million programme of RAAC concrete remediation works at the maternity wing, where crews are replacing concrete and using an inflatable roof system to keep the building dry during the process.
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