Breaking ground on mid and south Essex’s third CDC
The start of construction on Braintree’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) was celebrated today with a breaking ground ceremony.
Due to open on the site of Braintree Community Hospital in late 2025, it will be one of four centres in mid and south Essex.
Offering CT and MRI scans, ultrasounds, x-rays, blood tests and heart and lung diagnostic tests the centre will allow local residents to get quicker access to care close to home.
Open seven days a week the centre will carry out approximately 75,000 appointments per year, reducing waiting lists and leading to faster diagnosis and treatment for patients who need it.
James Currell, Acting Divisional Director, Clinical and Support Services Division at the Trust said: “This is an opportunity to see real progress in making Braintree CDC a reality. Patients are at the heart of everything we do, and the sooner we get these centres built, the quicker people will get additional access to the diagnostic care they need in a place that’s convenient for them.”
James Cleverly, MP for Braintree added: “This is great news for Braintree constituents. The Community Diagnostic Centre will provide tests and scans closer to home, drive down waiting times and speed up diagnosis and treatments of conditions, including cancers.
“This delivers on the commitment made by the last Conservative Government and will ultimately improve health outcomes.”
Rory Magorrian, Senior Project Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “We are pleased to begin work on this important project for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. We know the difference that the Braintree Community Diagnostic Centre will make to the local community and we are committed to delivering the centre for them.
“Our specialist team will collaborate with the Trust team to reconfigure and refurbish the existing single-storey St Michaels Health Centre building, which will include a new build extension.”
Braintree CDC is part of a national programme funded by the Government to increase diagnostic capacity, providing one-stop shops for checks, tests and scans in the heart of local communities. CDCs are also being developed in Thurrock, Pitsea and Southend.