A new CT scanner has successfully arrived at Rochester Healthy Living Centre – adding to the diagnostics available as part of the Medway Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) spoke on the site.
As part of Phase 1 of the CDC development, more than 6,000 diagnostic tests have been delivered since April 2024 at the Rochester site, including ultrasound, echo, ECG, and pulmonary function tests. In total, services at the Rochester CDC and nearby Sheppey CDC – both staffed by Medway NHS Foundation Trust – have helped provide more than 16,000 additional diagnostic tests for patients.
Over the next three years these two developments will deliver significant additional diagnostic capacity, which will help to support continued pandemic recovery plans, as well as future growth in demand. Increased diagnostic provision in the community will better utilise existing NHS estate and improve access – particularly for communities facing the highest level of health inequalities. It will support the drive to increase early diagnosis, tackle the NHS treatment backlog and improve patient outcomes.
The CT scanner (which is permanently situated outside the main building) is part of Phase 1 of the development, which will provide easier community access to testing by moving it out of Medway Maritime Hospital, the acute hospital site. It is already operational and complements the CDC hub at Sheppey Community Hospital (owned by NHS Property Services). The work also included converting some rooms which were previously bookable on an ad hoc basis to clinical rooms used more regularly.
Neighbourhood delivery
It supports the Government’s priorities for more community-based diagnostics and the direction of development of place-based neighbourhood hubs for health and wellbeing.
CHP is delighted to support the new CT scanner at Rochester Healthy Living Centre and the expansion of community diagnostics in Medway. This initiative is making a real difference by increasing access to vital healthcare services, reducing health inequalities and improving patient outcomes. We are proud to be a partner in this important work
Diagnostic tests at Rochester CDC hub include:
- ultrasound
- echo
- ECG
- pulmonary function tests
- CT scans
- MRI
I am very pleased to see patients benefiting from a range of vital tests at the Rochester Community Diagnostic Centre. The NHS across Kent and Medway is committed to providing the best possible care for the populations we serve – this is further good news which will allow us to deliver a better and more personalised diagnostic experience for patients by providing a single point of access to a range of diagnostic services in the local community.
The CDC is hosted by Medway NHS Foundation Trust (www.medway.nhs.uk), CHP and LIFTCo partner Medway Community Estates, providing project support and guidance.
Rochester Community Healthly Living Centre news
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Get in touch with your CHP Regional Director and regional Property and Operations team to find out how they can support diagnostic services at CHP buildings providing high-quality, modern, core NHS facilities for patients in their local communities.
