We are delighted to see our new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping, taking shape as part of our plans to support quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests and treatment close to patients’ homes.
We showcased this at a series of recent visits, welcoming partners including Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of NHS Confederation on 21 October; Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest on 24 October; and Nick Presmeg, Executive Director of Adult Social Care at Essex Council and Tom Abell, Chief Executive of the new proposed Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) on 29 October.
It was an opportunity for a tour of the site, where construction work is underway, and for partners to meet with Thom Lafferty, Chief Executive; Andrew Kelso, Chief Medical Officer; Jo Ward, Interim Chief Nurse; Michael Meredith, Chief Strategy Officer; Giovanna Leeks, Chief People Officer; Monica Bose, Divisional Director for Clinical Support Services and the CDC project team.
The CDC is now aimed for a spring 2026 opening, accommodating a short extension to the scope of work required.
There will be extended opening times and additional equipment at the St Margaret’s Hospital CDC to support the current additional capacity being provided for MRI scans, X-rays and non-obstetric (non-pregnancy) ultrasounds, including:
- Two additional computerised tomography (CT) scanners;
- Extended hours for X-rays;
- New ultrasound equipment;
- New cardiology equipment;
- New respiratory equipment;
- New MRI scanner; and
- More phlebotomists to be recruited – increasing the number of blood tests that can be carried out
Additionally, as part of the CDC programme, the services provided at Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishop’s Stortford, include extended hours for ultrasound, X-ray and audiology. Additional capacity for non-obstetric (non-pregnancy) ultrasound and audiology are currently being provided, together with additional hours for X-ray.
There will be streamlined clinical care – known as ‘pathways’ – available for patients to access services for conditions in the future including:
- Breathlessness
- Children and young people’s asthma
- Unscheduled bleeding on hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Liver health checks (surveillance)
- Rapid access care for chest pain
- Palpitations
- Sleep studies
- Trans-nasal (via nose) endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract
- Urology – focused on prostate diagnostics
As the main CDC welcomes its first patients in spring 2026, construction work will continue on an extension to the CDC, further developing the site to accommodate the fibroscanner to check for liver inflammation, an additional ultrasound, X-ray and space for trans-nasal endoscopy.
Dr Monica Bose, Director of Clinical Support Services and Consultant Gastroenterologist at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), said: “It was fantastic to have the opportunity to showcase progress with our Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at St Margaret’s Hospital.
“Our Community Diagnostic Centre will transform care for our patients, with quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests and treatment close to patients’ homes.”
Thom Lafferty, Chief Executive at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), said: “Thank you to our partners for visiting our Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at St Margaret’s Hospital. We were delighted to share our vision for neighbourhood health, with more integrated care for our community, closer to home.
“The CDC is integral to our plans to achieve this, together with working with our partners to improve patient care and experiences.”
NHS Confederation Visit – 21 October
Neil Hudson MP visit – 24 October
Nick Presmeg and Tom Abell visit – 29 October
