Community diagnostic centres to unlock an extra 65,000 appointment slots
The NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire have been sharing their hopes for the new centres as they open this week
The NHS Trust that looks after the RUH says there'll be an extra 65,000 appointment slots when their three community diagnostic centres are open.
The sites will look after people in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, and are hoped to make it easier to identify people with serious conditions.
Over the coming months, they'll start providing services, such as X-Rays, blood tests and MRI scans - to identify serious conditions such as cancer and heart disease closer to home than before, and away from the traditional large hospital setting.
The Sulis Hospital in Bath began providing diagnostic services in the spring, while the two further facilities, at the West Swindon Health Centre and Salisbury Central Health Clinic, are expected to open before the end of the year.
Dr Peter Collins, Chief Medical Officer, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said: “During the pandemic, many diagnostic services were paused, as the NHS focused its attention on caring for patients with Covid-19, and people in need of lifesaving urgent and emergency care.
“Thankfully, with the pandemic now behind us, we are now in a position to really get back up to speed, and reduce the time local people need to wait for this kind of care.
“These new sites will ensure that more people can have the tests they need sooner and closer to home, meaning that conditions such as cancer can either be ruled out or identified much quicker than before.
“What’s more, by having a greater diagnostic capacity in the region, our teams can begin to develop more efficient and effective ways of working, while also utilising the latest technology and clinical advances.”
Dr Barry Coakley, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: "These new diagnostic centres will be a fantastic addition to our local NHS, especially as we become much more focused on prevention, and helping people to live longer, happier and healthier lives, in which any potentially serious conditions can be spotted at the very earliest opportunity.”
It's hoped the diagnostic centres will relieve the Royal United Hospital in Bath, the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and Salisbury District Hospital of pressure, meaning staff will have more time to focus on patients with more pressing and complex needs.
The community centres will also provide an extra level of resilience to the local health and care system, with appointment cancellations during times of high demand or unexpected events becoming less likely.
Once all three sites are fully operational, it is expected that there will be an extra 65,000 diagnostic appointment slots available in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.
Currently, the Sulis Hospital is only able to see patients who have been referred by the nearby Royal United Hospital, however it is hoped that by next year others from further afield will be able to access care from the site.
In recent months, some diagnostic care has also been provided in mobile units, which have visited a number of different locations across the region.
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