A new diagnostic centre with high-tech X-ray and scanning facilities has moved a step closer now that boots are on the ground and work has begun in earnest on the new facility, which will be managed by Wye Valley NHS Trust.

The new building is part of a national strategy to roll-out Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) across England in order to boost the NHS’s diagnostic capacity.

As part of the national scheme, Wye Valley Trust was successful in its business case to NHS England which approved the new £18 million centre for Hereford.

The Wye Valley Diagnostic Centre will bring the latest, state-of-the-art MRI, CT, X-ray and Ultrasound equipment to be located on Hereford’s Holmer Road, which will allow Wye Valley NHS Trust staff to diagnose cancer and other health conditions earlier and with greater accuracy.

The centre, which is being built by Speller Metcalfe, will also provide cardiac and respiratory physiological testing as well as additional capacity for community phlebotomy.

Planning permission was secured last month and contractors have now begun work on site for the exciting project.

“This is great news for local people,” said Alan Dawson, the Trust’s strategy and planning officer.

“The new centre will offer patients a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to their homes – without the need to attend any of our hospital sites - and greater choice on where and how they are treated, reducing the need for hospital visits and helping them to receive potentially life-saving care sooner.

“Our patients deserve the highest quality care, and this centre will be instrumental in speeding up the diagnosis of illnesses like cancer and heart disease to ensure they are treated more quickly. 

“These diagnostic services will be separate to urgent diagnostic scan facilities, which means shorter waiting times and a reduced risk of cancellation which may occur when more urgent cases need to take priority.

“There’s no doubt that the new centre will lead to improved patient experience and outcomes and will contribute to shorter waits for people from Herefordshire and beyond,” added Alan.

Adrian Speller, Director at Speller Metcalfe, said: "We're delighted to start work on the new Diagnostic Centre in Hereford following our recent successful completion of the new Hereford Daycase Unit.

“We have built a strong relationship with Wye Valley NHS Trust and, with many of our own staff living within Hereford, understand the impact these new building will have on healthcare provision for local residents."

The new CDC, which will be located on land behind B&Q on Holmer Road, will provide a range of facilities, including:

• X-Ray facility
• CT scanner
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Echocardiography
• Cardiac and respiratory physiology
• Phlebotomy
• Ancillary staff facilities
• Changing rooms for patients
• Consultation space

“The new facility will usher in a new level of diagnostic service for Herefordshire and will mean a reduced risk of cancellations and it will deliver a more personalised experience for patients by providing a single point of access to a range of services in the community

“The centre will improve population health outcomes by diagnosing health conditions earlier, faster and more accurately and supports more joined-up care across primary, community and secondary care across the county.”

Pic cap:

Pictured on the site of the new Diagnostic Centre are, left to right: Christian Homersley, WVT Associate Chief Estates and Capital Planning Officer; Alan Dawson, WVT Chief Strategy and Planning Officer; Leah Hughes, WVT Operational Clinical Lead for Radiology; Dan Harding, WVT Associate Director Diagnostic Programmes; Adrian Speller, Speller Metcalfe Technical Director; Annie Hyett, Senior Project Manager, WT Partnership; Stuart Jones, Speller Metcalfe Contracts Manager; Alex Garwood-Gowers, Speller Metcalfe Senior Project Manager; Quantity Surveyor Zach Bowater

An artist’s impression of the new Wye Valley Diagnostic Centre

Ends

Note to editors:

• Wye Valley NHS Trust is a provider of health services across Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve.
• By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.
• With an estimated annual turnover of around £295 million, we employ around 3,000 staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.

For further information please contact:

Fiona Gurney, communications officer, or John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928