Hinckley’s state-of-the-art Community Diagnostic Centre formally opens

A £24.6 million state-of-the-art Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) was officially opened in Hinckley today by Dr Luke Evans, MP for Hinckley and Bosworth.

The first of its kind in Leicestershire, the brand-new purpose-built facility will offer patients a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home, giving greater choice on where they are undertaken and easing pressure on our busy hospitals.  

Located next to the site of the former Hinckley and District Community Hospital on Mount Road, the CDC will provide a range of diagnostic tests such as CT, MRI, X-Ray, Ultrasound, Phlebotomy, Dermatology, Audiology assessments and Endoscopy.

Cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Hinckley CDC, Dr Luke Evans MP said: “Today marks a day of celebration – a historic day for Hinckley’s health provision as we open the next chapter of healthcare right in the heart of our town.

“We all know what an improvement this local facility will make to people’s lives as they won’t need to travel into Leicester or over to the George Eliot for things like MRI or CT scans, ultrasounds, endoscopy appointments, X-Rays and blood tests.

“I’m so pleased to have worked with our local NHS to secure the funding and play my part in making this long-awaited investment a reality for our community. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard over the past few years to make this happen for all of us locally.

“This will be truly transformative to people and families across Hinckley and Bosworth.”

Delivered by a collaboration between the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB (Integrated Care Board), the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), NHS Property Services, and the Darwin Group Ltd, the centre is expected to undertake 70,000 tests this year, increasing to more than 80,000 next year.

One of the first patients to be treated in the new unit was 69-year-old Albert Bonsell who came to the new centre for a blood test. He said: “It’s a really nice place and the staff working here have all been lovely. It’s really great to have a facility like this on our doorstep, it’s very convenient for me as I live in Barwell, and it means I don’t have to travel further afield for tests.”

Helen Hendley, Director of Planned Care for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) said: “Today’s official opening marks a milestone for the Community Diagnostic Centre and the people of Hinckley and surrounding areas.

“I am delighted for the community to see the project come to fruition to benefit local healthcare provision and support patients to get the diagnosis and treatment that they need more quickly.”

Jon Melbourne, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, added: “We are excited to be bringing important diagnostic services into the community and this shows our commitment to provide state-of-the-art healthcare for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. This is part of our wider strategy to improve care, and to cut both waiting lists and waiting times. I’m really proud to celebrate this milestone today, and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project.”

Health Minister Karin Smyth said: “This new cutting-edge Community Diagnostic Centre in Hinckley is the latest example of how this government is delivering faster diagnoses and treatment for patients, closer to home.

“By moving vital healthcare services out of hospitals and closer to patient’s doorsteps, we’re improving access to vital services and helping cut waiting times.

“This is exactly the kind of innovative, community-focused healthcare that this government’s Plan for Change is delivering – fixing the badly damaged service we inherited, putting patients first and building an NHS fit for the future.”

Dr Jess Sokolov, Regional Medical Director of NHS England in the Midlands, said: “Providing more convenient access to diagnostic testing is a key part of the national Elective Reform Plan, and we have already seen how much people in the Midlands benefit from direct referral from their local doctor to an expanded range of scans and tests on their doorstep. 

“This is an exciting time for local people in Hinckley as they will be able to access high-quality NHS diagnostic services faster, and closer to home.”

Paul Jones, Regional Capital Project Lead at NHSPS, who own the new building, said: “It’s fantastic to have now delivered this vital community facility on our site in an accessible location so close to the town centre. This new building will provide a step change in the quality and quantity of care that the NHS is able to provide for the people of Hinckley and the wider area. By supporting earlier diagnosis, improving access to care closer to home, and helping to modernise NHS infrastructure, this CDC directly contributes to the three key shifts outlined in the government’s vision for the NHS. Our team is looking forward to providing facilities management services for the building going forward.” 

Nick Dawe, managing direct for Darwin Group, added: “I am very proud of the Darwin Group team members who helped to design and deliver Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre. We’re also thankful for the close collaboration we received on this project from all partners involved.”

Commenting on the opening of the new centre, Bill Cullen, Chief Executive of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said: “We warmly welcome the opening of this much-needed facility, which will benefit the borough’s residents now and for years to come. A huge thanks to the team at the NHS who have worked so hard to get this facility delivered. We are proud of our involvement in supporting its development and will continue our positive collaboration with NHS colleagues to ensure ongoing investment in new health facilities for the community.”