A diagnostic centre has carried more than 10,000 health tests and scans since it opened and is planning for further expansion – after local leaders officially marked its opening.
Since the Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre in Stockton Town Centre started to welcome its first patients earlier this year, it has been offering rapid tests for a range of health issues.
It will also soon be running new services to help patients with potential liver and cardiology issues – with all services being provided by staff across University Hospitals Tees.
Improved patient experience
Since opening in April, it has already performed more than 10,000 tests, checks and scans on patients from the local area.
Simon Milburn, clinical director for the service, said: “We are really pleased with the centre’s success so far.
“Patients, their loved ones and our own staff are having a fantastic experience both being treated here and working here.
It is a bright, spacious environment, away from the busy hospital setting, where our patients can have a better experience.
Having the opportunity to bring teams from across University Hospitals Tees to work together has also been fantastic – sharing expertise and ways of working.
“We want the centre to be bigger and better, with plans to soon start a liver clinic with specialist fibroscan equipment and a new cardiology clinic.
Stacey Hunter, chief executive of University Hospitals Tees, who also attended the opening, added:
We are really proud to have one of the best diagnostic facilities in the country.
“It’s also exciting to see how much more we can do from this site – with staff from across the group bringing together a huge range of expertise and knowledge.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved for this support so far, including everyone at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and to our local MPs and health groups.”
In the coming weeks, the service will also introduce a self-check in system for patients – providing results for health professionals including the patient’s blood pressure, pulse, weight, height and body mass index (BMI), something which is a key part of the national 10 Year Health Plan for England.
Stockton Waterfront transformation
The centre is based on the southern end of the Stockton Waterfront site, which is part of the wider transformation of the town centre to create inspiring and attractive public spaces, led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
It also combines with the opportunity for the expansion of the Council’s economic growth aspirations for Stockton-on-Tees, supporting the development of the Care and Health Innovation Zone as part of the Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint.
Councillor Pauline Beall, cabinet member for health and adult social care at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said:
The Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre is a fabulous asset and is already making a huge difference to residents, delivering faster diagnoses, all closer to home.
“It’s location in Stockton Town Centre, adjacent to the new Waterfront urban park project, will make getting tests, checks or scans simpler and more convenient. We are proud to be a part of bringing this state-of-the-art facility to the Borough, improving healthcare for our communities and embracing economic growth in the region.”
What other senior leaders said at the opening event
Chris McDonald MP
“I want to thank all of the teams who have delivered this project extremely well in such a high profile location.
“The patient experience here is so different than in a hospital setting – I want through some medical tests a couple of years ago and know what a worrying time that can be. To be able to come somewhere like this facility to have those tests is certainly a much better environment for our patients.”
Matt Vickers MP
“We fought tooth and nail to secure the funding we needed, and this amazing new facility will now deliver 104,000 life-saving tests, checks and scans every single year by our amazing NHS staff.
We face health inequalities in our part of the world, and by bringing healthcare onto our high street and closer to local people, we can help ensure that people live longer, healthier lives.
“A big thank you to everyone who has helped deliver this incredible project for Stockton and the whole of Teesside.”
Luke Myer MP
“This fantastic facility is benefitting people across Stockton, the Tees Valley and even further afield – it is great to be here and I am really delighted to have such a high quality health facility in our area for our community.”