The first patients have been welcomed into a new state-of-the-art community health facility in Teesside.
The Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre will offer rapid tests for a range of health issues including cancer, heart and lung disease.
The site, which opened this month in Bridge Street in Stockton, is being run by the University Hospitals Tees group.
It will include facilities such as CT scanners, two MRI scanners, ultrasound machines, x-ray facilities and more.
The building also includes a range of heart, lung and blood function tests and a number of consultation rooms for patients.
Jonny Rutherford was one of the first patients to be treated, having an MRI scan on his knee.
Jonny, 34 from Billingham, said: “Everything was very straightforward from the moment we left for the appointment.
“My dad drove me along, we got parked very easily close to the building. It was surreal being in a brand new building.
“I was seen by the radiology team who were very helpful. Everything felt very calm and safe, staff were also very friendly and helpful. A really positive experience.”
Maureen Watson, 71, from Eaglescliffe, was joined by her husband Chris as she visited for a planned scan on her knee.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “It’s amazing to be one of the first patients here. It was really easy to get here and staff have been fantastic. I have been in and out very quickly too – it has been a really nice experience.”
Phil Woolfall, a radiologist and clinical lead for the centre, said: “It is very exciting to open the doors to this first-class facility and see patients like Jonny getting the care they need.
“We know patients who come here will have the best possible experience. A quicker appointment, a convenient journey to the building, diagnostic tests in a pleasant environment out of the hospital setting and a fantastic facility for our teams to work in.
“We are also thankful to all of our organisations involved in these works, including our council and construction partners, who have gone above and beyond on this project.
“This state-of-the-art facility is a once in a generation opportunity for our community to have access to.”
Wider transformation of waterfront
The centre, built by Kier, is based on the southern end of the Stockton Waterfront site, which is part of the wider transformation of the town centre to create inspiring and attractive public spaces, led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
The site will also be part of a ‘Health Spine’ of care and health located in this area, delivering on the Council’s vision for a nationally significant Care and Health Innovation Zone in Central Stockton and North Thornaby, which would offer improved infrastructure for health services and social care innovation.
Councillor Lisa Evans Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “I am pleased that Stockton Town Centre will be home to such an innovative facility and it’s fantastic to see it welcome its first patients.
“The new diagnostic centre will have a huge impact on residents’ access to health services, further improving health and wellbeing for many people across the Borough.
“This is also a major investment which will help drive footfall in Stockton Town Centre, where people can come not only for convenient appointments, but also to be able to access local facilities, shops and spend time in the town centre, in an attractive setting of an urban park.”
Dan Doherty, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland said: “We’re really proud of our work to deliver the Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre. The new state-of-the-art facility will help improve staff and patient experience and provides more access to diagnostic testing for the whole community.
“We have a strong track record of delivering modern, purpose-built healthcare facilities to a high standard and I look forward to seeing the benefits the new facility will have for local people.”
Supported by other diagnostic sites
The centre is run by University Hospitals Tees – formed of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – with the estates facilities managed by NTH Solutions LLP.
It will be supported by three ‘spoke’ diagnostic sites – two of them already in operation at the University Hospital of Hartlepool and Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and a new service which recently opened at Redcar Primary Care Hospital following extensive refurbishment works over the last few months.
These sites will provide services including CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound, plain film, endoscopy tests and more.