The new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) on Albion Street in Hull city centre has opened to patients. The £18m site allows patients to receive X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and other other treatments in the city centre, without having to go to a hospital.
The site first opened its doors on September 2 and has already served hundreds of patients. The theory behind CDC facilities is to take stress away from nearby acute services such as Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital where the treatments the CDC provides would otherwise be performed.
The new centre will offer up to 150,000 additional diagnostic tests every year. Patients are referred to the CDC to get tests after a GP appointment and will be given a timed appointment slot. The site is not a walk-in centre.
Both the Leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, and the MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, Emma Hardy, were impressed by the new site after receiving a tour. Ms Hardy said that the site “looks incredible” and that the location of the site “should help local businesses.”
Earlier this year the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, spoke to the LDRS about the CDC that remained under construction at the time. Sir Keir explained that the city centre location of the site would likely be key to its success. He said: “By putting it in Albion Street we are signalling that we want it to be convenient, it’s in the city centre. People may go in [to the city centre] for other reasons and they can go and get their tests or scans whilst doing other things.”
Nicola Webster, the CDC Programme Manager, explained that the location is also a big positive for staff. She said: “You’re in the middle of the city centre, on your lunch breaks you can go out and do things that you probably wouldn’t normally be able to do if you were at the other hospitals.”
After receiving the tour, Cllr Ross planted a time capsule outside the CDC with a number of contemporary items to commemorate the site’s opening. The capsule included some King Charles III coins, information about the CDC, and a newspaper, among other items.
Cllr Ross said: “It is really pleasing that we are now able to showcase this state-of-the-art health facility in Hull city centre following a brilliant working partnership between the council, the NHS and contractors. The CDC will bring health and wellbeing benefits to our residents for many years to come, whilst also contributing to supporting our wider city centre regeneration.”
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
