University of Bolton nursing and midwifery students celebrate at graduation ceremonies

Nursing and midwifery students from the University of Bolton celebrated their achievements as they graduated at Bolton’s Albert Halls.

The Chancellor of the University of Bolton, Earl of St Andrews, praised students’ success at the three ceremonies on Tuesday (16 July) in the magnificent town hall.

The Earl conferred degrees on students from the University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery at two of the ceremonies. Professor George E Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, conferred the degrees at the final ceremony.

The Earl also handed honorary degrees to three people who have had a major impact in the field of health and social care.

Dr Kevin Jones, a former senior consultant specialising in respiratory medicine at the Royal Bolton Hospital, was made Doctor of Health Care for his outstanding contribution to health.

Doctor Jones, who is now retired, is also a popular after dinner speaker and comedian and has performed at venues around the country, raising money for local charities, as well as being a familiar face at the Edinburgh fringe.

He joked: “As you know, I could go on forever, the hat is cutting off the blood supply to my scalp so I might keep this reasonably short!”

Dr Jones added: “I am extremely honoured to be made an honorary doctor of the University of Bolton, I am extremely grateful and I am, frankly, amazed. I’m not sure I deserve it.

“I have loved my career. I’ve worked everywhere, in Denver Colorado, New Zealand, I’ve work in Liverpool and I’ve worked in London and I can say with absolute honesty that the hospital that I have admired and loved working in the most is the Royal Bolton Hospital. It has an incredible record under immense pressure to deliver some of the best care I have ever seen. You’ve got to love your local hospital.

“I wish you all the very best in your careers – if you have as much fun as I’ve had, you’re going to have a great time.”

University of Bolton graduate Sam Sherrington’s career has encompassed the delivery of NHS England’s nursing and midwifery strategy, policy-making and governance, finance and organisational change.

Sam is the Northwest Regional Deputy Director of Strategy and Transformation for NHS England, leading on strategy and transformation. She is a former Mayoress of Bolton and a trustee of Bolton Hospice.

Sam said: “I stand in awe of the incredible academic prowess of the graduates here in front of me, congratulations to you all.

“I am grateful to the University of Bolton, Greater Manchester, for the significant impact on my nursing career, empowering my thirst for knowledge, for lifelong learning and for giving me the confidence to be myself, to believe in myself and to lead and inspire others.

“My colleagues and the University of Bolton, you made me the nurse leader that I am today.”

Dr Marie Oxtoby, whose career has encompassed roles as a tutor, counsellor and research officer, focused on critical issues such as Parkinson’s Disease, was made a Doctor of Health Care for her outstanding contribution to health in the community. Her publications and reports on social work, education, adoption, fostering and neurological care are highly respected within the field. Marie is also an active volunteer – she has served as Chair and Hydrotherapy Services Coordinator at Bolton Neuro Voices and as a Director of The Romford Project.