The Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ Community Diagnostic Centre Imaging Facility has completed structural development, and will now receive interior installations.
Earlier this month, senior staff from Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) visited Montagu Hospital in South Yorkshire to assess the building’s progress, including colleagues from the trust, IHP Building, P+HS Architects, and Edge Construction Project Management.
The facility, which will house CT and MRI scanners and an ultrasound suite, is on track to be completed by the end of the year.
'Boost our service even further'
Sara Elliott, head of Radiology, explained the CDC will provide facilities to “allow us to continue offering training opportunities to boost our service even further”.
Currently, the medical imaging service has 10 apprentices working towards a BSc (Hons) in diagnostic radiography, with three apprentice radiographers recently graduating in March this year and being employed within the service.
The imaging suite represents an investment of over £16 million into Montagu Hospital.
'Commitment to investing in the site'
Montagu was selected to host one of two CDCs within South Yorkshire, following a £3 million investment from the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care System (ICS).
Richard Parker OBE, chief executive at DBTH, said: “This development, in addition to the Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre and the Endoscopy Suite at the CDC, underscores the Trusts commitment to investing in the site at Mexborough.
“The location at Montagu Hospital is ideal for elective care, being positioned away from emergency and urgent care services at DRI and offering accessible planned care that will lead to better healthcare outcomes for our communities across Doncaster, Bassetlaw, Barnsley, and Rotherham.”
Improved scheduling and faster diagnostics
Initially equipped with mobile MRI and CT scanner staffed units, the CDC opened a fully functional endoscopy suite, training facilities with clinic rooms for services including ultrasound facilities in November 2023.
The new imaging suite will replace the current mobile CT and MRI scanner staffed units, and will allow improved scheduling efficiency and faster diagnostics, as well as being designed to offer better access and a more comfortable environment for patients.
Ultrasound services will also move into the new building from their current location within the Montagu CDC’s Endoscopy Suite. This relocation will provide more space, improve clinical flow, and enhance the experience for both patients and staff, the Trust said.
The facility is expected to open to the public in Spring 2025.
The SoR’s Radiography Manifesto emphasises that while CDCs are a positive for their communities, it is vital the government ensure their rollout does not lead to radiographers leaving the NHS, which would put even greater pressure on hospital care and increase waiting lists.
(Image: Topping out ceremony at Montagu Hospital, via DBTH)