Sarah Brampton, the trust’s deputy chief executive, said in her report to the board the vision was to build a “health village” in the city centre which would increase the capacity of the diagnostic centre and house a neighbourhood health hub to address health inequalities.

She said it could include dental services, sexual health services, sports and exercise medicine, point of care testing, private patients and research and development.

“We are currently talking to partners such as GPs, Plymouth City Council, education sector providers and others and working on drawing up detailed plans,” she said, adding it could be a “game-changer” for healthcare in the city.