The development will see a single‑storey PET‑CT scanner building installed to the east of Southend Hospital, on land currently used by two mobile, lorry‑based scanner units.
The temporary building, which has been granted permission for a period of five years, will replace the existing mobile scanners and provide a significantly improved environment for both patients and staff.
The new unit will be purpose‑designed, offering a formal waiting area, consultation rooms and supporting facilities, creating a more comfortable, coherent and accessible setting than the current mobile provision.
Hospital leaders say the change will improve patient experience while also supporting more efficient clinical workflows, allowing patients to move smoothly from arrival through scanning and discharge.
Although temporary in nature, the building has been designed to sit comfortably within the wider hospital site.
The building will be constructed using a high‑quality modular system, with durable external finishes chosen to suit a healthcare environment and present a more permanent appearance than the current mobile scanners.
When the plans were submitted, Natasha Kerrigan, chief estates and infrastructure officer, said: “We are upgrading our PET‑CT scanning facilities to provide better support for our patients.
“In partnership with Alliance Medical, this modern, purpose‑built unit will replace the temporary mobile scanners and offer a larger, more comfortable environment for both patients and staff.
“We are also introducing newer scanners that will enhance cancer care and help speed up diagnosis.
“This investment is one of several steps we are taking to strengthen cancer services across mid and south Essex.”
PET-CT scans play a key role in identifying illnesses, particularly cancer, with a non-invasive imaging technique showing radioactive dye to identify detailed areas of the body impacted by disease.
The approved development is expected to play an important role in improving diagnostic capacity and resilience at Southend Hospital over the coming years.