Work on new diagnostic centre progresses

Work has started on the Community Diagnostic Centre in Workington

Building work has started on a new diagnostic centre to increase the number of scans available for NHS patients.

North Cumbria Integrated Care trust hopes the centre will help reduce waiting times for MRI, CT and ultrasound scans, which have doubled over the past three years in north Cumbria.

The £19m Community Diagnostic Centre is being built in central Workington, next to Cumberland Council’s new Innovation Hub.

Consultant cardiologist Dr Madu Varma said she hoped the centre would help provide "quicker" diagnoses.

The NHS trust said the new facility would replace temporary mobile units in Whitehaven and Carlisle.

Faster access to scans was key to diagnosing conditions, including cancer, as early as possible, the trust added.

“We are all delighted that work has now started to build the new centre," Dr Varma said.

"By providing more diagnostics, this will help with quicker diagnoses of a range of conditions.”

Construction firm Graham has been appointed as the main contractor.