Care in Our Communities

As part of our Getting to Good Programme, we are trying to increase the access our patients have to care in the community and plan for future demand.

Later this year, a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is due to open in Telford and patients will benefit from quicker access to tests, checks and scans, without having to come into hospital.

The Government has approved the CDC, one of four in the Midlands region providing tests and treatments in the community away from the acute hospital setting.

Together with STW ICS, and staffed by teams from our organisation, the centre is set to transform how services such as MRI scans, ultrasounds, X-rays and blood tests are offered to our patients.

Services available in the new CDC will include:

• CT

• Non-Obstetric Ultrasound Scans

• X-Ray

• Phlebotomy

• A number of routine Cardio Respiratory tests.

Nigel Lee, Interim Director of Strategy and Partnerships, said: “This is fantastic news for our patients and colleagues. The centre will create additional capacity, reducing pressure on other services.

“The CDC will offer a range of diagnostic checks, scan and tests to help reduce the backlog and diagnose patients more quickly. Importantly, the services are provided in a centre in the community, with easier access for patients.”

The CDC will be based at Hollinswood House,

Stafford Park, which is currently undergoing a complete interior redesign to ensure it is fit for purpose and able to accommodate future demand.

Renal dialysis services from the PRH will also be moving to Hollinswood House, creating more space for our patients and a more comfortable environment.

The purpose-built facility will provide care for lower risk dialysis patients in this satellite unit, with acute services remaining at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The move will allow us to meet not only the current level of dialysis demand but also the forecasted future demand over the next 10 years. This off-site location will also create more clinical space for both patients and staff, with dialysis over two floors and a staff rest room.

Renal dialysis services are currently on a ward at the PRH and the move will allow this space to be upgraded and converted into an inpatient ward, thus providing more beds for patients who are acutely ill.