New Bodmin Community Diagnostic Centre welcomes first patients
We are delighted to announce that the first patients are now being welcomed at the new Bodmin Community Diagnostic Centre.
The new centre is located on the Bodmin Community Hospital site. It will deliver a range of diagnostic services, including CT and MRI scans. It is home to only the fifth CT scanner in Cornwall and the first east of Truro.
The diagnostic strategy is to have community diagnostic centres located away from acute hospital sites. The centre is easily accessible to the people of mid, north and east Cornwall, helping to deliver more care closer to home.
The aim is to get the right patients to the right test in the right location with the fewest number of visits and referrals, as quickly as possible.
In May 2022 there were over 58,000 people on a waiting list in our system. The centre will contribute to an overall reduction in waiting times, elective recovery and referral to treatment targets.
When fully operational, the centre will deliver an additional 120,000 diagnostic tests per year.
"Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Clinical Imaging are delighted to be providing additional diagnostic imaging services for the local population around Bodmin. Including CT, MRI and ultrasound scans from the new centre. It will make a real difference for patients to have accessible CT and MRI services in their locality.
"The centre provides a calm, outpatient scanning environment. It alleviates our hard-pressed acute and emergency diagnostic imaging services at Treliske in Truro. Digital technology and connectivity ensures that expert advice and opinion is immediately available to the Bodmin Community Diagnostic Centre clinical staff. As well as supporting our services on this site to meet exemplary standards.
"Our thanks go to Professor Sir Mike Richards for his national vision to provide more diagnostic services in local communities where people live. To NHS England for funding this excellent new facility, including the top of the range digital x-ray equipment and a new CT scanner. As well as the Estates Team at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The Estates Team have worked tirelessly with the sub-contractors, our clinical teams and the equipment providers, GE and Philips, to transform the old treatment centre. It is a fantastic new facility for patients and for the staff who work here". Emma Spouse, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Diagnostic Imaging Lead
Other benefits of the Bodmin Community Diagnostic Centre include a reduction in travel time and costs, as the centre offers free parking. As well as the creation of local jobs.
"Not only am I delighted to see this facility open, I am delighted as a resident of north Cornwall that my fellow residents will not have to travel down the A30 to Truro for their diagnostics. It is fantastic to have this facility available closer to where people live". Margaret Schwarz, Chair of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Background information
The Bodmin Community Diagnostic Centre is a system-wide project. Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is responsible for the delivery of services at the centre. While Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for the redevelopment and management of the building. Early adopter community diagnostic centre funding for 2021-22 was secured by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board from NHS England. The building is owned by NHS Property Services.
Work on the centre will be completed in 3 phases.
- Using early adopter funding, this phase focusses on the ground floor. This includes CT, X-ray, ultrasound and 2 hard standings capable of hosting hospital 2 mobile imaging trucks of any modality. This phase is now up and running.
- Will see the creation of the urgent care centre. The minor injury unit and its staff will relocate onto the ground floor in early 2023.
- Involves the second floor being turned into a multi-use clinical space to fulfil the outstanding community diagnostic facilities. It is planned for September 2023.
The implementation of the centre will support the achievement of national diagnostic targets for waiting times.
The centre will relieve pressure on Royal Cornwall, University Hospitals Plymouth and North Devon and Exeter Trusts. From an urgent care, patient choice and mutual aid perspective.
This is aligned with the emergency care strategies for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It will help address health inequalities and inequitable access to services.