Around 89,000 diagnostic tests will be provided every year as part of a new centre in Hinckley. The £24.6 million facility will provide a range of diagnostic checks in the community, including CT and MRI scans, endoscopy, X-ray and ultrasounds, delivered by the University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust.
Construction on the new site, on the existing site of the Hinckley and District Community Hospital, has been underway since April 2024. Significant progress has been made over recent weeks, despite a break-in to the site. In January, four men were arrested for the attempted theft of copper cables, which were damaged during the incident and had to be replaced.
Dr Luke Evans, the Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, and a shadow health minister, visited the site earlier this month to see its progress and pay tribute to the teams working to overcome the setback.
Dr Evans said: “We know how important it is to have local testing facilities in our community, and this massive investment means people won’t need to travel into Leicester or off to the George Eliot for their tests, scans and checks.
“Despite the setbacks of the recent break in and theft, I’m pleased to see the NHS and team are working flat out to get this open for May. They’ve really pulled together to make this happen for all of us locally. I can’t wait to visit when it’s all complete.”
The CDC, which will deliver up to 89,000 tests every year, forms part of a wider programme of work which aims to improve community health services in Hinckley and the surrounding area.
Helen Hendley, Director of Planned Care for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “We’ve made great progress on the new facility, which will make a big difference to local people when it opens. It will help to reduce waiting times and provide a more convenient facility for people in the community.
“Providing services closer to people’s homes and where they work improves access to health services. We’re excited to see the positive difference this facility will make.”