A new £19.4m community diagnostic centre will be built in Scunthorpe town centre – one of six to open nationally as ‘one-stop shops’ for tests, checks and scans.
The centre will create capacity for an additional 146,000 appointments a year for residents to get X-Rays, MRI, ultrasound, and CT scans.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is great news for North Lincolnshire residents and another positive note for the High Street with more Government cash backing the plans to build a new future.
“This new health centre will have a massive impact on residents’ access to critical health services, further improving health and wellbeing for thousands of people.
“It is also further good news for the town centre in Scunthorpe – a major investment, backed with Government cash, which will drive more people into the town centre for more reasons.”
The plans will be subject to planning permission, which has been sought for a site off Lindum Street.
Patients will be referred to the centre by their GP or consultant, and it will operate in parallel to existing diagnostic departments at Scunthorpe General Hospital for inpatients and those requiring emergency care.
Health bosses have said it will allow an estimated 146,000 additional checks every year, enabling more patients to be seen more quickly, slashing waiting times and helping residents access the care they need in a timelier way.
Chief Executive of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, Peter Reading, said: “Our priority will always be to provide our patients with excellent standards of care – and we believe that moving some of our diagnostic services out into the community will allow us to do that.
“I’m delighted to say that we have been successful in bidding for £19.4m from the national funding Community Diagnostic Centre programme to fund the scheme and have submitted a planning application to create a bespoke hub, off Lindum Street – right in the heart of Scunthorpe town centre.
“Based in the heart of communities, they are making it easier for people to access life-saving checks and cutting out unnecessary hospital visits.
“They have already made a huge difference, delivering nearly four million tests, checks and scans since the programme started in July 2021, helping to deliver on the government’s commitment to cut waiting lists.”
