Ilkeston – work progressing on diagnostic facilities
Construction on the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Ilkeston Community Hospital is well underway, to bring improved access to diagnostic tests on site. It involves adaptations to the hospital infrastructure to accommodate a whole range of diagnostic facilities, extending some services and bringing new ones in.
The estates team has been busy managing the infrastructure changes to accommodate all the additional facilities within the hospital. This includes managing the preparations for the installation of Derbyshire's first open MRI scanner, one of only a handful across the UK. These more spacious scanners allow patients to feel more at ease when having a scan due to their design, while also providing greater accessibility for all patients. Ultrasound testing facilities, including echocardiography and cardio-respiratory rooms have also been installed. The ultrasound room is set to be operational this month (October). CT scans, x-ray, point-of-care testing and phlebotomy also remain a vital part of the diagnostic testing capability at Ilkeston as part of the CDC.
Clinicians from the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton will run the diagnostic facilities as they all get up and running, to provide more convenient and personalised care to patients closer to their communities, and provide faster access to diagnostic services across the county. The CDC is set to be completed and fully operational in 2024.
The CDC will support the ambitions of Joined Up Care Derbyshire Integrated Care System (ICS) by enhancing clinical pathways and increasing diagnostic activity - driving improved outcomes in conditions such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, respiratory diseases, and more, aligning with the commitments outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan.
Other CDC sites are currently in development at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital in Derby, Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital in Tamworth and Walton Community Hospital in Chesterfield with Whitworth Community Hospital already offering a range of additional diagnostic services for patients in and around Matlock.
Work to make way for the CT and open MRI scanners have involved the relocation of medical secretaries and medical records colleagues, and a temporary mobile x-ray machine is installed while work takes place to reconfigure the existing x-ray space. Some staff rest areas, including the restaurant and the conservatory are also impacted by the ongoing works. We would like to thank colleagues for their ongoing understanding during the construction phase.