Work has started on the construction of the new Bridgwater Community Diagnostic Centre in Somerset.

Contractor, Ergéa UK, recently joined clinical leaders from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and modular building manufacturer, Actiform, at a ground-breaking ceremony on the site.

The project recently received conditional planning approval, paving the way for the new facility to welcome its first patients in early summer 2026.

This £17.8m, state-of-the-art centre will transform access to care in Bridgwater and across Somerset, offering a comprehensive range of diagnostic and outpatient services closer to home.

It will be equipped with two CT scanners, two MRI scanners, four outpatient rooms, and two echocardiography/ultrasound suites, significantly boosting local diagnostic capacity.

Made possible through Ergéa’s Managed Service partnership with the trust, the centre has been designed to deliver a one-stop service.

Patients will benefit from access to both routine and specialist cardiac and cancer imaging, as well as outpatient clinics — helping reduce waiting times, support earlier diagnosis, and improve outcomes.

Mark Graves, director of operations at Ergéa UK, said: “This important project is a clear example of how innovation and collaboration can come together to benefit patients in Bridgwater.

“Working in partnership with the trust, we are creating a modern, state-of-the-art diagnostic centre designed to transform patient experiences, improve outcomes, and help the NHS reduce waiting list backlogs for the community.”

Adam Turner, head of imaging at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust added: “Both our radiology team and I are really excited about the opportunities to bring complex imaging into the community with this new diagnostic centre.

“The high-end equipment planned for this new facility will allow us to perform complex CT and MRI scans that we could previously only perform at Musgrove Park and Yeovil hospitals.

“Not only will it free up much needed capacity on our hospital scanners and help with managing our waiting lists, but this purpose-built centre will also offer a brilliant patient experience.

“Centrally located in the county, and with good transport links, this facility will benefit the whole population of Somerset.”

Actiform will create the facility via offsite construction methods.