Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, Peter Lewis, recently joined Trust clinicians, representatives from InHealth – which will provide radiology and endoscopy services, Trust strategic estates partner, Prime plc, and funders, M&G Investment, at the ground breaking for a new diagnostic centre at Yeovil District Hospital.
Being built by Darwin Group, the standalone facility is expected to open in late 2024, providing over 70,000 diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments annually to help patients in Somerset and north west Dorset receive quicker diagnostic tests. Open seven days a week, it will provide radiology, endoscopy, cardiology and audiology diagnostics and outpatient appointments.
Darwin Group says its use of ‘innovative’ offsite modular construction methods means the project will be delivered up to 60 per cent faster, and with up to 90 per cent less waste, than via traditional building methods. Health and care property developer, Prime, collaborated closely with Darwin to design and develop the facility as a ‘high-performing, sustainable, low-energy new build, meticulously designed to achieve Net Zero embodied carbon and an impressive biodiversity net gain of 267%’. Their partnership working will continue during the construction phase. In all 73 modules will be delivered and installed overnight over eight days, ‘transforming the estate at pace, while minimising disruption to the hospital site’.
Jonathan Ockrim, a consultant colorectal surgeon and Somerset NHS FT’s Clinical lead for the Yeovil Community Diagnostic Centre, said: “I’ve worked at the hospital for 21 years, and have never seen such an incredible investment in new buildings and facilities here. Within the new CDC we’ll have a new audiology unit, a cardio diagnostic centre, and an imaging suite for quicker, better quality, CT and MRI scans. The new endoscopy unit will help relieve pressure on our busy endoscopy unit in the main part of the hospital, so it can prioritise emergencies. We also expect endoscopy waiting times to be greatly reduced.”
Geoff Searle, CEO of InHealth, added: “When ready, this will be one of five brand new CDCs in the south west, as part of InHealth’s partnership with NHS England in the south- west, and we’re proud to be working with the Trust to provide key clinical services to the local population through this new centre. Across our nationwide network of CDCs, we’ve seen the real difference and positive impact centres like these can bring for patients.”
