A new state-of-the-art Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has opened its doors to its first patients at Milford Hospital, marking a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare services for the local community.
This new facility, developed by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, is set to provide a substantial increase in diagnostic capacity, offering an additional 11,000 MRI scans and 9,500 CT scans annually once fully operational.
The cutting-edge facility is expected to play a crucial role in the early detection of serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, ensuring that patients receive potentially life-saving care more promptly.
It will also bring the added benefit of closer healthcare services, reducing the need for patients to travel to the Trust's main hospital site in Guildford – Royal Surrey County Hospital.
The CDC is equipped with two advanced MRI scanners and the latest CT scanner
The CDC is equipped with two advanced MRI scanners and the latest CT scanner, which will significantly bolster diagnostic capabilities at the facility.
In addition to these new services, the centre will also offer a range of other diagnostic procedures, including X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiogram, and phlebotomy, all of which are already available at Milford Hospital.
By alleviating pressure on the Trust's busy diagnostic services at its Guildford site, the CDC will help to meet the growing demand for diagnostic testing.
This includes the increasing need for services related to acutely unwell inpatients, the Emergency Department, and more complex procedures and biopsies.
The cutting-edge facility is expected to play a crucial role in the early detection of serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease
Louise Stead, Group Chief Executive for Royal Surrey and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals, said: “I am delighted that our new Community Diagnostic Centre has started to welcome its first patients, allowing them access to high-tech scans and diagnostic testing closer to home.
"This continued investment in our community hospitals is a key part of our strategy to boost out-of-hospital care and reduce reliance on our main hospital site in Guildford. I am hugely proud of everyone who has been involved in this project, which we know will ultimately improve health outcomes for the communities that we serve."
With the new facility now in operation, patients in the area can expect quicker diagnoses and treatments, helping to ensure that critical conditions are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
The CDC is a vital part of the Trust's ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery and ease the burden on more centralised hospital services.
Top image: Milford Diagnostic Centre