The Trust says this follows the public consultation held in January. The Community Diagnostic Centre is part of its plans to support quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests close to patients’ homes. It is planned that the CDC will be open from summer 2025, and that it will incorporate equipment and services including:
Two additional computerised tomography (CT) scanners;
Extended hours for X-rays.
New ultrasound equipment.
New cardiology equipment.
New respiratory equipment.
A relocated MRI scanner, and
More phlebotomists – increasing the number of blood tests that can be carried out.
Additionally, as part of the CDC programme, the services provided at Bishop’s Stortford Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishop’s Stortford, will include extended hours for cardiology, ultrasound, and X-ray.
Michael Meredith, director of Strategy and Estates at PAHT, said: “We are pleased to have reached this significant milestone by submitting our planning application for the Community Diagnostic Centre at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping. I am so excited that we continue to make such good progress with the development of outstanding facilities for the communities we serve. This is a big step towards our ambition for modern, integrated, and outstanding healthcare for our community. This is a significant investment in local services that will mean quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests for our patients.”