ELLESMERE PORT DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE OPENS SOON A new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is opening this year at Ellesmere Port Hospital. The centre, located at the back of the hospital, will act as a one-stop shop for diagnostic testing, with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) and ultrasound scans all available when fully operational. These imaging tests are used to map what is happening inside patients’ bodies, with specially trained operators called radiographers carrying them out. They can be used to diagnose a wide variety of issues, including various types of cancer. Ruth Buckley, Radiology Service Manager, said: “We know rapid diagnosis saves lives, which is why this is such an exciting development. “By creating additional radiology capacity more patients will be scanned, diagnosed and treated sooner. “Everyone is working so hard on this because we know how important it will be for our ongoing efforts to address backlogs
6
that have been impacted by the pandemic.”
purpose of helping people to get better.”
The Trust’s CDC is one of the first 40 commissioned in a new £350million national programme designed to make more tests available closer to where people live.
Alongside the new CDC, existing MRI, CT and ultrasound facilities will continue to operate at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
It is hoped that an additional 2.8 million scans will be delivered in the first year CDCs are operational. Joe Speed, Radiographer, said: “Since the start of the pandemic we have seen significant increased demand for our services. It has been difficult, but I expect the new CDC to make a big difference to our patients, which will ultimately boost us as practitioners because we’re all here for the sole
Additional staff have been recruited to work in the CDC, with some radiology team members working across both the Countess and the CDC.
“WE KNOW RAPID DIAGNOSIS SAVES LIVES, WHICH IS WHY THIS IS SUCH AN EXCITING DEVELOPMENT.”
Dr Susan Gilby, Chief Executive, said: “I’m proud that we are among the first Trusts opening a CDC this year. “This is a significant national programme that will expedite treatment for patients all over the country and our communities will be among the first to see those benefits.”
