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History made as first patients treated at Bolton’s new Community Diagnostic Centre
- First patients treated at new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC)
- CDC located at on the Ground Floor of J Block at Royal Bolton Hospital]
- Centre will deliver 80,000 diagnostic tests and scans every year
History has been made at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust after the first patients stepped through the doors of the town’s brand-new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC).
The multi-million-pound centre is kitted out with the latest technology in MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound to provide accurate and potentially life-saving diagnostic tests and scans for people across Greater Manchester.
80,000 diagnostic tests will be carried out each year, ranging from phlebotomy and fibroscan to MRI and X-ray, to support patients on elective care journeys and those referred for cancer diagnosis.
Rosemary, from Farnworth, was the very first patient to receive treatment at the centre:
I feel really proud to be the first patient to use the centre, it’s really nice to see something new opening and it feels like an important step for the NHS.
I hope it does make it easier to get a scan. I’m fortunate that I’ve had a really good experience of using the NHS in Bolton. I’ve been here a lot over the past twelve months and I’ve always been looked after very well.
Work to build the state-of-the-art facility started in April 2023 and took just under a year to complete, with the building officially handed-over to the Trust last week.
James, who lives near to Royal Bolton Hospital, was the first person to use the CDC’s new MRI scanner:
It looks really modern, it’s so much better for Bolton, it’s exactly what we needed.
“Bolton is a big town and it needs centres like this that can look after more people. I feel lucky that I am the first person to use the MRI.
The equipment is all so modern and the nurses have been absolutely brilliant whilst I’m here for my scans.
A team of diagnostic imaging experts will be staffing the centre Monday to Friday, with plans to expand services into evenings and weekends over the coming weeks and months.
Alexandra Mann, MRI Lead at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:
Our new CDC means we can treat thousands of patients for all diagnostics, such as MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound, as early as possible.
“This works as a one-stop-shop where we can triage and carry out imaging on the same day. The sooner we get patients in for their tests and scans, the sooner we can provide the treatment they need and improve their health outcomes.
Rae Wheatcroft, Chief Operating Officer at the Trust, said:
An investment in our services and buildings is an investment into the health and wellbeing of our Bolton and Greater Manchester communities.
“Our CDC is providing us with additional capacity to increase the number of tests and scans we’re able to provide each year, allowing us to see more people, reduce how long people wait to be seen, and clear backlogs.
The Community Diagnostic Centre is located on the Ground Floor of J Block at Royal Bolton Hospital.
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We currently have a number of opportunities to join us in our new Community Diagnostic Centre.