Hospital reaches milestone in plans for Community Diagnostic Centre
An artist’s impression of the Community Diagnostic Centre at St Margaret’s Hospital (main entrance).
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust has reached a significant milestone in submitting the planning application for the Community Diagnostic Centre at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping.
The Trust’s (PAHT) application to Epping Forest District Council is now available for the public to view on the Epping Forest District Council website >
This follows a public consultation held in January. The Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is part of PAHT’s plans to support quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests close to patients’ homes.
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 CT scanners
Extended hours for X-rays
New ultrasound equipment
New cardiology equipment
New respiratory equipment
Relocated MRI scanner
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 Bishop’s Stortford Community Diagnostic Centre at Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishop’s Stortford, will include extended hours for cardiology, ultrasound and X-ray. Extended hours for non-obstetric ultrasound have begun to be provided, with additional hours to be available this year. There will also be additional hours for X-ray this year.
Michael Meredith, director of strategy and estates at PAHT, said: “We are pleased to have reached this significant milestone by submitting our planning application for the Community Diagnostic Centre at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping.
“I am so excited that we continue to make such good progress with the development of outstanding facilities for the communities we serve.
“This is a big step towards our ambition for modern, integrated, and outstanding healthcare for our community. This is a significant investment in local services that will mean quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests for our patients.”