A new health centre is set to open within a year in Southend, offering over 600 more diagnostic tests and scans a week locally.

Expected to open in mid-2025 and be situated in Southend's Victoria Shopping Centre, should a lease agreement be approved from Southend City Council, the new health centre will be offering X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiogram and lung tests to be able to carry out diagnoses.

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, explained: “We look forward to delivering this project at pace. This will benefit patients by offering tests and scans in a centre in the heart of the community. We know it will improve health outcomes and help to reduce waiting times and look forward to working with our independent provider to deliver the centre.”

An independent provider has been selected to build and operate the new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Southend, following a full procurement by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. It will be the first centre in mid and south Essex to open, complementing larger services available in the larger CDC in Pitsea, set to open across south Essex in 2026.

The new health centre in Southend is one of four located in mid and south Essex, with CDs already in the building phases in Thurrock, Braintree, and Piste.

Michael Catling, chief operating officer for THH, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing these additional appointments for the people of Southend right into the high street. This will be more accessible for patients and will help our NHS colleagues with much needed capacity. Our company’s heart and home is south Essex so we are delighted to offer a fantastic local service in the heart of our community.”