Braintree Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), built by McLaughlin & Harvey with support from NHS Property Services, has officially opened.
This new facility will provide capacity for around 75,000 additional diagnostic appointments each year.
Located at Braintree Community Hospital, the centre was delivered for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust through the Crown Commercial Services framework.
The project involved refurbishing and reconfiguring the existing St Michael’s Health Centre building, alongside a new-build extension.
NHS Property Services supported the delivery of the centre.
The Trust took handover of the completed building in August before completing the final fit-out and installing specialist equipment.
The centre began welcoming patients on 14 September, ahead of its formal opening on 16 October.
Services include MRI and CT scans, ultrasound, blood tests, and heart and lung checks. The centre operates seven days a week.
The opening ceremony was attended by Health and Social Care Minister Alison Gover, James Cleverly MP, local councillors and NHS representatives.
“We are determined to work with Trusts and Councils alike to deliver excellent neighbourhood health care across England,” said Paul Jones, Regional Capital Projects Lead at NHS Property Services.
Cllr Richard van Dulken, Chairman of Braintree District Council, cut the ribbon to formally open the facility.
Further CDC planned for Pitsea
Braintree is the third of four community diagnostic centres planned across mid and south Essex, joining existing facilities in Thurrock and Southend.
The fourth and largest centre, in Pitsea, is due to open in summer 2027.
MTX Contracts completed the installation of the prefabricated superstructure at the £54m Pitsea CDC, with work now progressing to internal fit-out ahead of its 2027 opening.
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- Companies:
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- McLaughlin and Harvey
