A groundbreaking ceremony has been held for a £24.6m Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Representatives from NHS Property Services (NHS PS) attended the ceremony which marked the beginning of construction planned and commissioned by NHSPS in partnership with Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB.

The new facility will provide CT and MRI scans, endoscopy, X-ray, and ultrasound facilities. It is expected to open in early 2025.

Andrew Strange, estate strategy lead for NHSPS said: “We are focused on delivering a better NHS estate that’s fit for the future, and on investing and optimising the buildings where our NHS colleagues deliver excellent patient care and where patients feel safe and happy.

“This superb new facility replaces a smaller, outdated building and will enable people to access diagnostic tests much closer to their homes, in a community setting. We're really excited to be part of it and looking forward to its completion in early 2025."

Helen Hendley, director of planned care for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) added: “The groundbreaking ceremony marks an exciting milestone for the Community Diagnostic Centre and the people of Hinckley and surrounding areas.  I would like to thank the project team, including our partners from University Hospitals of Leicester and NHS Property Services, for their dedication in getting us to this stage of the development.

“We have engaged with local people on our plans over several years and I am delighted to see our shared vision to transform community health services in Hinckley, moving a step closer to becoming a reality.