THE region's medical professionals at Fairfield Hospital will soon be able to hone their skills in a state-of-the-art facility.

Fairfield General's education centre was officially handed over to the Pennine Acute Trust this week after a £1.8 million renovation.

The centre, in the grounds of the Rochdale Old Road complex, will now be fitted out with equipment before staff can move in.

Abbie Edwards, assistant director of education and training for the trust, said: "Anyone who walks round the centre will be extremely impressed. It is a fabulous building, and full of the potential to help thousands of staff to improve their skills and develop their careers."

The centre will also host training and education sessions for primary care professionals, including GPs and dentists.

Centre facilities include a 100-seat lecture theatre and conference room; seminar rooms; a skills laboratory for training in healthcare procedures; a resuscitation training centre and a health care library with information technology access stations.

Mrs Edwards added: "We would like to thank the staff for bearing with us during the construction.

"Of course there has been some inconvenience, but the end result will be worth it.

"We are now eager to transfer our staff and equipment so that the doors can be opened.

"This will be a real win, both for staff and for patients, because it is they who benefit from staff development."

Dr Kumar Kotegaonkar, local GP and GP tutor, said: "The new education centre will be a link between primary care and specialists in the hospital. It will improve patient care through education and training."

The work was carried out by Bury-based Thomas Barnes & Sons.