Work begins to build hospital diagnostic centre

Work has begun to create a state-of-the-art hospital diagnostic centre.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) has been allocated more than £14m for the new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at St Margaret's Hospital in Epping, Essex.

The centre is one of about 30 in the UK designed to move diagnostics out of acute hospitals and into community sites to provide easier public access and earlier diagnosis.

Michael Meredith, PAHT director of strategy and estates, said: "The CDC will enhance patient experience by enabling our patients to be seen more quickly and closer to their homes, providing modern, integrated, outstanding healthcare to support our community."

Construction is expected to be complete by December 2025.

The centre will provide additional opening times, two additional computerised tomography (CT) scanners, extended hours for X-rays - and new ultrasound equipment, a spokesperson for PAHT said.

There will also be new cardiology and respiratory equipment, with more phlebotomists recruited to carry out more blood tests.

PAHT has appointed contractor Morgan Sindall Construction to build the centre.

Area director Ryan Liversage said: "We're delighted to be getting started on site at the Community Diagnostic Centre at St Margaret's Hospital.

"This is a key milestone in the creation of a facility that will bring a wide range of vital healthcare benefits to the local area."

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