NHS Property Services (NHSPS) recently held a ceremony to celebrate the start of construction work on the £24.6m Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC).

The ceremony, on the existing site of the Hinckley and District Community Hospital, marked the start of construction work planned and commissioned by NHSPS in partnership with Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB to build a diagnostic centre providing CT and MRI scans, endoscopy, X-ray, and ultrasound facilities.

Andrew Strange, estate strategy lead for NHSPS, said: “We are focused on delivering a better NHS estate that’s fit for the future and on investing and optimising the buildings where our NHS colleagues deliver excellent patient care and where patients feel safe and happy.

“This superb new facility replaces a smaller, outdated building and will enable people to access diagnostic tests much closer to their homes, in a community setting.

“We’re really excited to be part of it and looking forward to its completion in early 2025.”

Helen Hendley, director of planned care for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, added: “The ground-breaking ceremony marks an exciting milestone for the Community Diagnostic Centre and the people of Hinckley and surrounding areas.

“We have engaged with local people on our plans over several years and I am delighted to see our shared vision to transform community health services in Hinckley, moving a step closer to becoming a reality.”

The Community Diagnostic Centre will be a purpose-built facility providing a range of diagnostic checks, scans, and tests closer to peoples’ homes.

Full planning permission for the new facility was granted by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and it will be constructed by Darwin Group.

Jim Pierce, deputy chief executive at Darwin Group, said: “We’re delighted to mark the official start of build works for Hinckley’s Community Diagnostic Centre and are proud to work alongside our NHS partners to deliver this major project.

“This facility will improve access to incredibly-important services, so it is good to hear about the positive impact the new facilities will make for the patients of Hinkley and the surrounding areas.”