Shropshire county's Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is now fully operational and is transforming the way services are offered to patients with nearly 57,000 patients seen since it first opened its doors.
The purpose-built CDC is significantly increasing the number of elective diagnostic tests and scans that Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), in partnership with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), offers.
It provides a better environment to support patients, additional capacity to see patients away from hospital sites, and reduces unnecessary hospital visits.
A new cardiorespiratory service has now launched at the CDC providing tests such as echocardiogram (ECHO), spirometry and electrocardiogram (ECG).
Radiology appointments are now offered six days a week
The CDC, which is based in Hollinswood House, Stafford Park, Telford, also provides radiology (CT, X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI), pathology (blood tests), and teledermatology.
Radiology appointments are now offered six days a week and teledermatology has increased to four days a week (with a fifth day at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital) with pathology and cardiorespiratory appointments now taking place five times a week.
Renal dialysis services are also based at Hollinswood House and provide care for lower risk dialysis patients, with acute services provided at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The CDC opened in October 2023.
The CDC is a wonderful environment for us to see our patients
Adil Hussain, Assistant Technical Officer at the CDC, said: "We have only had good feedback with it being closer for most patients for their appointments."
Dr John Jones, Medical Director for The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: "The CDC is a wonderful environment for us to see our patients. This state-of-the-art facility means that we have additional capacity to see patients away from a hospital setting which makes it a better experience for them."
"Having these diagnostic services, and also renal dialysis services for lower risk patients, in one building in the community is ideal. I would like to thank my colleagues who have been involved in this project and those in our communities who have also given their input," Jones concluded.
Top image: Kim Davies, Cardiac Physiologist, at work
Image credit: The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
