Trust provides update on delayed NHS centre

Work on a delayed state-of-the-art diagnostics centre in Nottingham could start soon, it has been revealed.

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust previously said a new £25m medical centre offering MRI, CT and ultrasound scans would open on part of the site of the former Broadmarsh shopping centre by this spring.

However, lengthy and "complicated" preparation work led to a delay, with the opening of the Community Diagnostics Centre pushed back to 2026.

The trust said it expected to sign contracts with a construction company "very soon", after which work could start on the site.

It is planned to eventually provide 140,000 diagnostic appointments annually, once at full capacity and will employ 134 staff, NUH said.

The centre will also offer x-rays, echocardiography, ECG, and lung function testing - a "one-stop-shop" to reduce the diagnostics tests waiting list.

Former shops on Lister Gate will be redeveloped to create the centre, with the old retail units stripped back to the concrete structure and refurbishing the roof and plant rooms.

The construction works will also include removing the part of the concrete structure which connects the building to the former Broadmarsh shopping centre.

Paul Matthew, chief financial officer at NUH, said: "The preparations to enable us to start building work at the Community Diagnostics Centre in Nottingham city centre have been more complicated than anticipated which has led to a delay.

"We continue to work with our partners to progress this project in line with the existing plans.

"Whilst the delay to the opening of the Community Diagnostics Centre will be disappointing to our patients and communities, we have taken steps to provide additional diagnostics appointments in the local community at Platform One in the meantime.

"This means that more patients will still benefit from an earlier diagnostics appointment and receive the answers they need as soon as possible, until we can open the doors of the new Community Diagnostics Centre in 2026."

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