Construction work has commenced at Walton Hospital, marking the beginning of the development of a ‘one-stop-shop’ Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) that will serve patients in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire starting in Spring 2025.
The £5.2m project at the Walton Hospital Site is part of a larger £29.9m investment in CDCs across Derby and Derbyshire. After a thorough ecologist review, the site is now undergoing preparatory work, including the demolition of old plant rooms. This paves the way for a state-of-the-art modular building.
The CDC, expected to cater to thousands of patients annually, will bring diagnostic services such as blood tests, ultrasounds, MRI scans, CT scans, and point-of-care testing closer to patients’ residences, offering the convenience of receiving multiple tests in one location.
Upon full operation, the CDC at Walton aims to complete thousands of diagnostic tests each year. The demolition of the plant room and ground preparation is estimated to take approximately ten days, with a custom-built modular structure expected to arrive on-site in about 12 weeks.
Michelle Veitch, Chief Operating Officerih at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, expressed excitement about bringing services closer to home through CDCs. She noted that shorter turnaround times for results and prompt initiation of treatment would benefit patients in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and nearby areas.
Dr. Hal Spencer, Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, emphasized the trust’s commitment to expanding services into the community. He highlighted the partnership with Derbyshire Community Healthcare Services NHS Foundation Trust and the transformative impact of the purpose-built CDC at Walton Hospital on diagnostic services in the region.
Dean Wallace, Chief Operating Officer at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, praised the forthcoming diagnostic facility at Walton Hospital as a valuable addition to local health services. He eagerly anticipates progress on-site and the official opening of the community diagnostic center next year, thanking everyone involved in making this facility a reality for patient benefit.
