Work to start on £18m community diagnostic centre in Albion Square
COMING SOON: The community diagnostic centre in Albion Square. Image courtesy of FaulknerBrowns Architects
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Construction work will shortly begin on a new community diagnostic centre (CDC) in Albion Square after planning approval was granted with conditions.
Hull City Council’s planning committee approved plans for the £18m NHS facility in the city centre, which will welcome thousands of patients annually, relieving the strain on hospitals and creating about 100 jobs.
The CDC will feature a range of services including MRI, X-ray, CT scanning and ultrasounds.
It is also expected to benefit the city centre economy through increased footfall.
Councillor Linda Chambers, the council's portfolio holder for public health, said: “I am delighted that plans have been approved for the CDC on Albion Square.
“This will provide high-quality, easily accessible health facilities in the city centre and is a fantastic opportunity to improve the health of people in and around Hull.
“Early diagnosis is essential to early treatment and positive outcomes for patients and their families and the CDC will help to do that.”
Jonathan Lofthouse, group chief executive of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have been given the go-ahead to progress the new community diagnostic centre, which now presents us with a real opportunity to improve access to timely, convenient healthcare for hundreds of local people every week.
“Not only will the new facility align with ongoing plans for the regeneration of the city centre, it will also create around 100 jobs for local people and speed up access to potentially life-saving tests and scans.
“With the benefit of modern, purpose-built accommodation and access to the latest technology such as MRI scanners, CT scanners, ultrasound and ECG, this represents a much-needed boost for the delivery of diagnostic care across Hull and the surrounding area.”
The design and construction of the CDC will be undertaken by VINCI Building, the council’s development partner for Albion Square, while architect for the project is FaulknerBrowns Architects.