University Hospitals Tees have repurposed vacant spaces in Redcar Primary Care Hospital by building new MRI, CT and cardio exam rooms.
The project was granted £2.4 m from NHS England, via the national community diagnostic centre (CDC) program with support from NHS Property Services (NHSPS), and the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System.
The renovation was announced to the press following a visit from local MP Anna Turley.
The new rooms aim to expand access to healthcare across the region.
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 range of tests in the community including endoscopy, echocardiology, lung tests, MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasound and plain film X-rays.
This use of space aligns with NHSPS' goal of unlocking value in the NHS by 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. This new diagnostic centre will help provide local people in the Redcar and surrounding area with access to rapid health tests.
“It will mean a much-improved experience for any patient who needs tests for any health issue linked to cancer, heart or lung disease. And this then means a quicker diagnosis for any serious issue so that we can treat it as soon as possible. Along with the other diagnostic sites located across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, we will be able to help more people than ever before.”
Anna Turley, MP for Redcar said: “This investment is fantastic news for Redcar. The new facilities at our Primary Care Hospital will mean thousands more patients can be seen quickly and close to home, with access to the very best diagnostic equipment. It’s exactly the kind of improvement our NHS needs. I’m proud to see our area benefiting from this national programme.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Left to right: Joanne Smith, MRI Modality Lead (South Tees NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust); Joanne Riley, Ultrasound Motality Lead (South Tees NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust); Julie Clark CT Modality Lead (South Tees NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust); Kevin Showler, Managing Director North (NHS Property Services); Kelly Smith, Head of Radiology (South Tees NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust); Ben Gammer, Estate Strategy Lead (NHS Property Services); Anna Turley, MP for Redcar; Michael Hollyman, Senior Contracts Manager (NHS Property Services)
