New diagnostic centre reaches 'exciting milestone'

The new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Wellington Street, Peterborough, could open next year

An NHS trust has said plans for a city's new diagnostic centre have reached an "exciting milestone".

The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT), which runs Peterborough City Hospital, will staff and run a Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC).

Planning permission to demolish existing buildings on the site has been approved by the city council. Work is expected to start within days.

“This is an exciting milestone, as it’s when we will start to see change on the site," said Chris Howard, NWAFT's deputy director of strategic estate development.

Mr Howard added: “Fencing and scaffolding will be erected in the coming days and actual demolition works are due to start next week.”

The next stage will include submitting a formal planning application.

The CDC - due to open in Wellington Street in late 2025 - will offer CT, MRI and DEXA scanning and phlebotomy [when a needle is used to take blood from a vein], and there will be a direct link to the pathology services at the city's hospital.

The NWAFT's CEO, Hanna Coffey, has previously said the CDC will "help reduce waiting times and give patients a better experience, ensuring they receive results quicker“.

Work to assess demand for diagnostic services in the city is continuing, to try to ensure the CDC can meet the needs of the city's growing population.