Thank you to everyone who attended our Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) public consultation event at St Margaret’s Hospital, Spencer Close, Epping yesterday (Wednesday 10 January).
This was an opportunity to view our proposals for the facility, which will support quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests close to patients’ homes. You can now also share your comments on the proposals via an online survey running until 24 January 2024, which you can access here > 
Planned to be open from summer 2025, there will be extended opening times and additional equipment at the St Margaret’s Hospital CDC, including:
- Two additional computerised tomography (CT) scanners;
- Extended hours for X-rays;
- New ultrasound equipment;
- New cardiology equipment;
- New respiratory equipment;
- Relocated MRI scanner; and
- More phlebotomists to be recruited – increasing the number of blood tests that can be carried out
This will significantly improve the experience for our patients accessing diagnostic services, enabling our community to be seen more quickly and closer to their homes, with more options for appointment times that are convenient for them. This aims to have further benefits of contributing to the NHS’s net zero ambitions by providing multiple tests at one visit, reducing the number of patient journeys and helping to cut carbon emissions and air pollution.
The public consultation is specifically focused on the CDC development at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping.
Additionally, as part of the CDC programme, the services provided at Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishop’s Stortford, will include extended hours for cardiology, ultrasound and X-ray. Extended hours for non-obstetric (non-pregnancy) ultrasound have begun to be provided, with additional hours to be available early this year (2024). There will also be additional hours for X-ray early this year (2024).
Michael Meredith, director of strategy and estates, said: “The Community Diagnostic Centre at St Margaret’s Hospital will support us to provide modern, integrated and outstanding care to our local community.
“We will be able to provide quicker access to diagnostic tests, closer to our patients’ homes. We are focused on having our patients at the heart of our services, with new and enhanced ways of working and providing care. We look forward to hearing your feedback.”
You can take a look at the full exhibition boards here >
Pictured: The CDC project team at the public consultation event.