Construction work begun for community diagnostic centre in Epping
It's at St Margaret’s Hospital
Construction of the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping, has begun, as part of plans for Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust (PAHT) to provide quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests close to patients’ homes.
Contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has begun work to establish the site boundary within the North Bungalow building at the Spencer Close site.
The CDC is due to open in December 2025.
Michael Meredith, director of strategy and estates at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, tells Greatest Hits Radio: “We are looking forward to our vision taking shape in the coming months."
"We're expecting to see at least a 40% increase in demand for diagnostics."
"Diagnostics could be a MRI scan for your knee, your back, or you need bloods taken, or measuring your respiratory competence - how well you can breathe.
"The CDC will enhance patient experience by enabling our patients to be seen more quickly and closer to their homes.
"That'll mean reduced driving time across the county which is better for the environment."
"It's a brand new building at our existing St Margaret's hospital in Epping - new tests, new equipment and a new workforce delivering those tests" says Michael.
There will be extended opening times and additional equipment at the St Margaret’s Hospital CDC to support the current additional capacity being provided for MRI scans, X-rays and non-obstetric (non-pregnancy) ultrasounds, including:
- Two additional computerised tomography (CT) scanners
- Extended hours for X-rays
- New ultrasounds equipment
- New cardiology equipment
- New respiratory equipment
- Relocated MRI scanner
- More phlebotomists to be recruited – increasing the number of blood tests that can be carried out
Additionally, as part of the CDC programme, the services provided at Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishop’s Stortford, include extended hours for ultrasound, X-ray and audiology.
Additional capacity for non-obstetric (non-pregnancy) ultrasound and audiology are currently being provided, together with additional hours for X-ray.
Ryan Liversage, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Essex, said: "We're delighted to be getting started onsite at the Community Diagnostic Centre at St Margaret’s Hospital, as 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."