New £23m facility opens to ease hospital pressure
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS TrustA hospital in Lincolnshire has opened a new £23m facility to carry out diagnostic testing.
The facilities at the Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) will include MRI, CT, non-obstetric ultrasound, X-ray and echocardiograms, as well as blood testing and ECGs.
The Beevor Street site will be run by the same teams as the NHS hospitals in the region, with patients being able to access services through referrals from hospital or their GP.
Prof Karen Dunderdale, chief executive for Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals Group, said the service would "help reduce waiting times".
Job creation
She said: "This is fantastic news for Lincolnshire, as these dedicated facilities will help reduce waiting times and make it easier and more convenient to access the diagnostic tests people need as part of their care.
"This is the second new facility to open in the county in the last month, following the opening of Skegness CDC in November, and marks an investment of £43m.
"This programme is also supporting us to develop our Lincolnshire workforce, with the creation of approximately 140 clinical and non-clinical job roles across the county."
Sarah Williamson, from Navenby, was the first patient to use the service and said it was "a really lovely building, even the light panels in the ceiling look great and make it feel welcoming".
'Impressed'
Neil Stait, from North Hykeham, used the service for a CT scan after his original appointment at Grantham and District Hospital was re-booked.
He said: "My original appointment should have been the following week and I was so impressed they could fit me in here this week instead.
"It feels nice and new, and having these tests available away from the main hospital is a great idea."
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