New hospital diagnostic centre proposed

The centre would be built on land that previously housed a temporary building

Plans have been released for a new hospital diagnostic centre.

Furness General Hospital in Barrow, Cumbria, has submitted the plans to Westmorland and Furness Council.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMB), which runs the hospital, said the centre would include an MRI unit to support existing facilities on site.

Planning documents show the centre would be built on unused land, which previously housed a temporary building.

That was demolished in 2018, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service, and grass planted in its place.

A similar diagnostic facility is being built in Workington.

North Cumbria Integrated Care trust (NCIC), which is behind the plans, said it hoped it would reduce waiting times for patients.

Last month work also started on a £15m endoscopy unit for the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, which NCIC said would help speed up diagnosis.