^{Image supplied by NHS Property Services.}

Braintree Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has celebrated its official opening, with a ribbon-cutting event to highlight the new services bringing care closer to where people live.  

The CDC is located on the site of the Braintree Community Hospital.

It will provide around 75,000 additional diagnostic appointments each year, including MRI and CT scans, ultrasound, blood tests, and heart and lung checks.

The official opening was attended by James Cleverly MP, Cllr Richard van Dulken, Chairman of Braintree District Council, Cllr Graham Butland, Vice Chairman of Braintree District Council, local councillors and NHS colleagues.

Braintree is the third of four Community Diagnostic Centres set to open across mid and south Essex. It joined existing centres in Thurrock and Southend. A fourth, larger centre is due to open in Pitsea in summer 2027.

The CDCs are designed to bring diagnostic services closer to where people live and reduce the need to travel to larger hospital sites. They are also supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Health and Social Care Minister, Alison Gover said: “This Government is working hard to get the NHS on the road to recovery, with waiting lists down since July 2024, and record numbers of diagnostic tests and scans being delivered. But we know there is still a lot more to do.

“People deserve to get the care they need as quickly and conveniently as possible, which is exactly what this new Community Diagnostic Centre in Braintree will do, delivering an extra 75,000 diagnostic appointments each year.  

“By bringing these services closer to home, we’re making it easier for patients to access vital tests and checks in their local community, transforming how care is delivered and ensuring the NHS is there for everyone where they need it, when they need it.”

Paul Jones, Regional Capital Projects Lead at NHS Property Services, said: “We are delighted to have supported in the delivery of Braintree’s new Community Diagnostic Centre. The extra 75,000 appointments each year will make a huge difference to residents: providing MRI, CT scans, ultrasounds, blood tests and heart and lung checks.

“We are determined to work with Trusts and Councils alike to deliver excellent neighbourhood health care across England and this is yet another example where NHS Property Services has succeeded in its role to deliver an NHS estate fit for the future.”