New NHS diagnostic centre for Workington
Construction is underway.
A new NHS diagnostic centre is being built in Workington to help tackle the backlog in waiting lists.
Since covid demand for diagnostic services, with requests for things like MRI scans having doubled.
NCIC hopes the centre will reduce waiting times for these, CT scans and ultrasounds.
Consultant cardiologist Dr Madu Varma said: "Since covid demand for the service has gone up exponentially. It's doubling.
"In spite of having multiple scanners, we're outstripping it, so we've had mobile units at these places. We need a much more permanent solution, much more guarantee for our people that we can do their scans on time at regular slots.
"In spite of increasing demand, by increasing capacity we want to reduce waiting times for people. We hope to see one or two of the mobile sets will go, but our demand may increase again so we will want to keep some of them."