Robert Clegg Education and Training Centre opens at Rochdale Infirmary

Robert Clegg ribbon cutting

A new education and training centre has officially opened for healthcare staff working in the borough of Rochdale, which will ultimately improve care for patients.

The new facility has been set up to improve the learning and development facilities on offer in the area and to enable collaborative learning with the local NHS and system partners.

It has been named after Robert Clegg OBE, a former chief executive of the former Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust and chairman of the board of trustees at Springhill Hospice. He passed away in September 2021.

Robert’s close family members and local councillors from Rochdale attended the official opening of The Robert Clegg Education and Training Centre at Rochdale Infirmary.

They were welcomed by Rochdale Care Organisation and the Local Care Organisation Chief Officer, Steve Taylor, who made a touching speech in tribute to Robert Clegg, before Robert’s wife Anne cut the red ribbon.

Robert also served as chairman of the board at Hopwood Hall College from 2007 to 2018. He was a local councillor for 14 years, working tirelessly for the local community, and in 2015 he was awarded an OBE for services to Rochdale, and was made an honorary alderman in 2019.

Steve Taylor said: “Robert is known as somebody who dedicated his life to the people of Rochdale, and we thank him for that. He left a legacy around health, care, and education, so it is fitting that we honour that through the name of our new education and training centre.

“This is an important development for Rochdale and those working in health and care in the borough. The provision of a modern, hi-tech training facility is essential in supporting learning and development for our dedicated colleagues in health and care. The new education and training facility will help us deliver on our health and care goals for Rochdale and the surrounding area.

“The centre allows us to learn together, rather than learning in silos. Rochdale is a great example of a system where health and care colleagues from across the borough all come together to improve care for patients, carers and the wider population”

Those in attendance included Robert’s wife Anne, his son Richard, and daughter Emma.

Local councillors John Taylor, James Gartside, and Ashley Dearnley also attended.

Representatives from Rochdale Care Organisation and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust were also present, including medical director Shona McCallum and director of learning and development, Jane McDonald.