University of Bolton honours the NHS heroes on the frontline in the battle against Covid

Chief executive of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Fiona Noden received an Honorary Doctorate at university's Covid-secure graduation ceremonies.

Proud Boltonian Fiona Noden was awarded a Doctor of Health Care by the University of Bolton for her outstanding contribution to the Health Sector and Community Wellbeing particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mrs Noden, who was born and brought up in Bolton, and has led Bolton NHS Foundation Trust since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, said: “The last year has been difficult for everyone.

“The staff in our organisation have worked wonderfully and have become extended family for many.

“It is on behalf of them that I accept this award.”

The Chief Executive of the North West Ambulance Service was also recognised at the unversity’s Covid secure graduation ceremonies.

Daren Mochrie said he was “absolutely delighted” as he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bolton. H4e was made a Doctor of Health Care for his outstanding contribution to Ambulance Service and the Health Sector particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Mochrie, who Is also the Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), said: “This is a very proud moment. I am also immensely proud of every member of staff and all the volunteers who have gone above and beyond in the past 16 months, which has been such a challenging time."

A consultant upper limb surgeon Mr Stephen Hodgson at the Royal Bolton Hospital and Professor Iqbal Singh OBE s consultant physician in medicine for older people were also honoured for their services with an Honorary Doctorate.

Mr Hodgson, who has been  at Bolton since 1993, said it was a “great honour to accept this on behalf of all the staff at the Bolton NSH Foundation Trust”.

He added: “I would like to wish students graduating this year all the best in their future career.

“My message would be don’t stop learning – learn to love what you do and most importantly, learn to be a team player.”

Mr Hodgson received the award in a unique Covid-secure ceremony which was being filmed for a special movie documenting this year’s innovative ‘Alternative Graduation’.

Professor Iqbal Singh OBE was made a Doctor of Health Care for his outstanding contribution to the Health sector.

Professor Singh, who is chair of the global Centre of Excellence in Safety for Older People (CESOP) and chair European Group in Safety for Older People, said: “It is an absolute privilege to be recognised by the University.

“I have seen the University of Bolton progress tremendously over the past 20 years and particularly in its health programmes, which is really important as the UK desperately needs to produce more health professionals.”

The University is one of the only ones in the UK to have invited graduands from this year and last to be presented with their degrees in person and in their gowns, giving them the chance to have official photographs of their special day.