New Bodmin Community Diagnostic Centre welcomes first patients
We have welcomed the first patients to the new Community Diagnostic Centre in Bodmin.
The centre sits in the grounds of Bodmin Community Hospital. It will deliver a range of diagnostic tests for example CT and MRI scans. It is home to only the fifth CT scanner in Cornwall and the first east of Truro.
Our diagnostic strategy is to locate centres like this one away from our acute hospitals. Located in Bodmin, this centre is easy for people from mid, north and east Cornwall to access. It will make more services available closer to where people live.
Our aim is get patients to the right test in the right location, with as few visits and appointments as possible.
In May 2022 there were over 58,000 people on a waiting list in our system. The centre will help to reduce waiting times. It will also help achieve elective recovery and referral to treatment targets.
At full capacity, the centre will deliver an extra 120,000 diagnostic tests a year.
"Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Clinical Imaging are delighted to be providing extra diagnostic services for people around Bodmin. These include CT, MRI and ultrasound scans. It will make a real difference for patients to access these services in their locality.
"The centre provides a calm, outpatient scanning environment. It alleviates our hard-pressed acute and emergency diagnostic imaging services in Truro. Digital technology and connectivity will ensure expert advice 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 to Professor Sir Mike Richards for his vision to provide more local diagnostic services. 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 reduced travel time and costs, as there is free parking on site. It has also created local jobs.
"Not only am I delighted to see this facility open, but I am also 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.
- The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust will deliver the diagnostic services.
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for the redevelopment and management of the building.
- NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly secured 2021-22 early adopter community diagnostic centre funding from NHS England.
- NHS Property Services own the building.
We will complete work on the centre in 3 phases.
- Using early adopter funding, this phase focusses on the ground floor. This includes CT, X-ray, ultrasound and 2 hard standings. The latter is 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 creating a multi-use clinical space on the second floor. This will fulfil the outstanding community diagnostic facilities. It is planned for September 2023.
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 matches the emergency care strategies for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It will help address health inequalities and inequitable access to services.