Summer opening date planned for Peterborough's multi-million pound Community Diagnostics Centre
New facility set to improve medical services for patients
A multi-million pound Community Diagnostics Centre planned for Peterborough could be up and running by next summer, it has been revealed.
Health bosses have confirmed the centre, which should cut patients’ waiting times for tests and results, will be built in Wellington Street, Eastgate, and is expected to be ready for use in the summer next year.
The diagnostics centre will be constructed on the site of the disused City Health Clinic, which was shut by health chiefs in 2017 and which will be demolished.
Hannah Coffey, chief executive at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City Hospital, said: "The centre is due to open in late summer 2025.
"We are excited to see the project evolve and we will keep patients updated as we reach each milestone.
“This is a really positive step for us in providing excellent quality and efficient diagnostic services, but most importantly for our patients who will benefit from an improved experience and ensuring they receive results quicker.
She said: “The new centre will be staffed and run by our Trust, and will help further improve the delivery of diagnostic testing and reduce patient waiting times for clinical investigation.
"It will offer CT, MRI and DEXA scanning, as well as phlebotomy services and a direct link to the pathology services that are run at Peterborough City Hospital.
She added: “We have selected a site to build a new Community Diagnostics Centre, which will be located in Wellington Street.
“We worked with our local Integrated Care Board to apply for funding for the Centre, which was approved by the National Community Diagnostic Programme.
"Plans are now underway as we look ahead to demolition of the old site, construction and recruitment.”
Plans for the demolition of the former City Health Clinic have been submitted to Peterborough City Council.
Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “The Community Diagnostics Centre is incredibly important to fixing the NHS and serving patients in Peterborough.
"I’m pleased to see plans coming forward.
"It is vital that the NHS consults and involves residents and patients in the consideration of options for the centre.
"We need this to be well situated in the city centre and helpful to patients.”