NHS Property Services (NHSPS) has turned some previously vacant areas within Redcar Primary Care Hospital into diagnostic facilities.
The newly delivered MRI, CT, and cardiology examination rooms will deliver thousands of tests for local people.
The new facility is now open and aims to offer patients rapid tests to aid faster diagnosis of a broad spectrum of conditions including cancer, heart and lung disease.
Supported by NHS Property Services, which manages the hospital site, the work transformed a previously vacant space, using £2.4m NHS England funding from its national community diagnostic centre programme.
The new centre will act as a ‘spoke’ site, supporting the Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre in Stockon, run by University Hospitals Tees.
Other smaller sites being run by the health group are already in operation at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. Each performs a wide range of tests in the community, including endoscopy, echocardiology, lung tests, MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasound and plain film x-rays.
By leveraging vacant space and securing significant funding from the NHS, we are expanding capacity for better patient outcomes
This use of vacant space aligns with NHSPS' goal of unlocking value in the NHS by understanding customer priorities and helping deliver them, as well as investing, optimising, and rationalising resources to enhance patient care.
Ben Gammer, Senior Strategy Manager, said: "We are excited to see this development's positive impact on the community. By leveraging vacant space and securing significant funding from the NHS, we are expanding capacity for better patient outcomes."
Simon Milburn, Collaborative Chair for Clinical Support Services at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Thanks to the commitment and dedication of our partners at NHS Property Services, as well as of our own staff, we have been able to transform this unused space into a state-of-the-art facility.”
Milburn explained that this new facility will mean serious issues can be treated as soon as possible.
Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said: “[This development is] exactly the kind of improvement our NHS needs – easing pressure on waiting lists and giving people in Redcar & Cleveland faster diagnoses and peace of mind. I’m proud to see our area benefiting from this national programme and I’ll keep working to make sure local people get the healthcare services they deserve.”