Work begins on new diagnostic centre in Plymouth

Construction has begun on a new diagnostic centre in the heart of Plymouth

Work has begun on a new community diagnostic centre in Plymouth.

The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) confirmed construction had begun on the site at Colin Campbell Court in the west end of the city centre.

The new facility was expected to offer more than 91,000 imaging test appointments a year, such as MRIs, ultrasounds and X-rays, bosses said.

UHP said a mobile scanning unit on the site would enable people to access tests until the centre's construction was finished, which was expected to be at the end of 2025.

'Better patient access'

Nicki Collas, associate director for the Future Hospital Programme for the trust, said: "This new facility is key to our programme to bring care to people where they need it most.

"The city centre location will give better patient access, particularly for those living in the PL1 area."

He said the programme also included a new urgent treatment centre and fracture clinic on the Derriford Hospital site, which would "further increase our capacity to treat patients".

The new city centre location was expected to offer high-quality diagnostic tests to people close to where they lived, which UHP said would make it easier for them to attend appointments.

The trust added that patients may also be able to have more than one test per appointment if required.

Hoardings around the construction site are to display images of the planned three-storey building.

Each floor of the building was designed to offer specific tests and have a dedicated reception and waiting area, UHP added.