The first phase of a multi-million pound project to improve diagnostics testing and reduce the COVID-19 backlog and waiting times for residents in Warrington South has been completed.
The newly named Warrington and Halton Diagnostics Centre will provide additional checks and scans that can help diagnose and treat a range of health conditions including heart disease, lung conditions and cancer.
Warrington South MP Andy Carter received an update on the project from Lucy Gardner, Director of Strategy at Warrington Hospital which has received national funding for its diagnostics services as part of the Government’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) programme.
The initial stage of the development has focused on the refurbishment and modernisation of existing space within the Nightingale Building at Halton Hospital. Services including blood testing (phlebotomy), lung testing (spirometry) and ultrasound, which are staffed by a multidisciplinary team including nurses and radiographers, are now fully operational there.
In addition, the CDC scheme includes the construction of a new, £6million purpose-built diagnostics centre next to the existing Captain Sir Tom Moore building, which is scheduled to open in summer 2024. It will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and significant additional equipment to support future expansion including new MRI and CT services.
Additional CT scanners are also being installed at Warrington A&E unit to reduce wait times for patients needing urgent emergency treatment.
