{"id":679051,"date":"2026-07-07T19:19:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T19:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/679051\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T19:19:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T19:19:41","slug":"stunning-new-community-diagnostic-centre-is-leading-the-way-and-showing-how-nottinghams-could-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/679051\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Stunning’ new Community Diagnostic Centre is leading the way \u2013 and showing how Nottingham\u2019s could look"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new NHS building is set to open where the old Broadmarsh centre stood, in spring 2027<\/p>\n

06:00, 06 Jul 2026Updated 15:28, 06 Jul 2026<\/p>\n

\"White<\/p>\n

Mansfield’s Community Diagnostic Centre is the first in Nottinghamshire(Image: Joseph Raynor\/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n

Same day, same place.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how quick and easy it can be to get a diagnosis of something as serious as cancer at Mansfield<\/a> \u2019s new Community Diagnostic Centre.<\/p>\n

No waiting weeks, no back and forth appointments, no travelling to different places \u2013 it can (almost) all be done here.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a hospital \u2013 but only for tests, scans and examinations, away from the chaos of seriously injured patients, screaming babies and sprinting nurses.<\/p>\n

There seems to be almost no one around when we walk into the CDC, as it\u2019s known, at Mansfield Community Hospital \u2013 but not in an eerie way.<\/p>\n

In the way that everything seems calm and organised \u2013 perhaps, ideally, the way a hospital should be.<\/p>\n

This building \u2013 with its complicated name \u2013 is actually very simple.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity\u201d refers to its location \u2013 in the \u201ccommunity\u201d, away from hospitals and \u201ccloser to where patients actually live and work\u201d, according to Dr James Thomas, Sherwood Forest Hospital Trust\u2019s<\/a> Deputy Chief Medical Officer, who played a main role in the creation of this place.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s more accessible, people don\u2019t have to take a whole day off to go and, thirdly, hospitals can be a bit scary, and some people are a bit frightened to go to a hospital for a big test. Coming somewhere else might seem a little bit more accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDiagnostic\u201d refers to what goes on here \u2013 no A&E, no births, no overnight stays.<\/p>\n

\"Middle-aged<\/p>\n

Dr James Thomas said that the CDC has been “working like a dream” since its opening(Image: Joseph Raynor\/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n

Traditionally, to get a diagnosis for a problem, your GP would likely send you to the nearest big hospital site \u2013 where you\u2019d potentially have to wait a long time, in a chaotic, noisy and uncomfortable environment.<\/p>\n

Here, there\u2019s none of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we tried to do is make this not a hospital,\u201d says Dr Thomas. \u201cI think we\u2019ve achieved it. It doesn\u2019t feel busy. The waiting area is empty.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t see a patient at the moment, because they\u2019re in the room having a test, or they\u2019ve done it. We don\u2019t have people hanging around. They come, they have their test at the time that it was timetabled, and they\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is one of more than 150 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) that have popped up all over the country in the past five or six years \u2013 but it\u2019s the first in Nottinghamshire.<\/p>\n

It won\u2019t be for long, though.<\/p>\n

There are well-advanced plans for a CDC at Broadmarsh<\/a>, right next to the Green Heart, at the bottom end of Nottingham<\/a> city centre<\/a>, run by Nottingham University Hospitals<\/a> NHS<\/a> Trust.<\/p>\n

So how do they work? And what can we expect from Nottingham\u2019s?<\/p>\n

Doctors at GP surgeries can refer patients straight to Mansfield\u2019s diagnostic centre for testing, rather than sending them to the hospital.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say a patient goes to the doctor with shortness of breath.<\/p>\n

A GP might sometimes be able to tell what the problem is themselves.<\/p>\n

But if they can\u2019t \u2013 maybe they\u2019re uncertain whether it\u2019s a lung problem or a heart problem \u2013 they\u2019ll send them to the CDC.<\/p>\n

Before, a GP would have to guess which they thought it was and refer them to the appropriate hospital\u2019s department for tests, without being certain it was the right place for them.<\/p>\n

\"Middle-aged<\/p>\n

Amanda Barratt, programme manager for the CDC at Mansfield Community Hospital(Image: Joseph Raynor\/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n

Here at Mansfield\u2019s CDC, the patient will have a CT scan to see how their lungs look, then a function test in the respiratory corridor, where their breathing and lung volume will be measured.<\/p>\n

If they need anything else, like a blood test, they can get it here and see a consultant.<\/p>\n

The best bit is that they can then wait in the corridor to get their results on the same day.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, their CT scan, lung function test, blood test and results would all be separate appointments.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost all of those patients will get a diagnosis on the day,\u201d says Carl Miller, clinical deployment lead at Sherwood Forest Hospitals<\/a>. \u201c(Then) the consultant will send a letter to the GP and say: \u2018This is what we\u2019ve found, this is what we need to do, carry on with the treatment and refer back to us if things change.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Lung problems can be diagnosed in as little as three hours here.<\/p>\n

\u201c(The CDC) reduces what we call care miles, too,\u201d adds Amanda Barratt, programme manager. \u201cReducing the number of journeys a patient takes means there\u2019s less carbon on the roads as well. It\u2019s all-rounded \u2013 it benefits patients, early diagnosis, and it\u2019s good for the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blood tests<\/p>\n

Blood testing is often a key part of medical diagnosis, so the CDC has a dedicated room for it.<\/p>\n

But patients who need their bloods taken for any reason can also be sent here, away from the hustle and bustle of the hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think for some patients, especially when they\u2019re vulnerable or not feeling particularly well, Kings Mill (Mansfield\u2019s main hospital) is so fast-paced, so hectic and so busy,\u201d says phlebotomist Sally Thompson. \u201cThis is a much calmer environment for patients to come into. It\u2019s a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Modern<\/p>\n

The waiting room at the CDC is empty – because appointments all run on time(Image: Joseph Raynor\/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n

Patients who have a blood test booked don\u2019t even need to sign in at reception \u2013 they just look for the red and orange blood-test colour-coded chairs, sit down and wait for the phlebotomist to call their name.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t got the waiting list of the doctors,\u201d adds phlebotomist Emma Chapman. \u201cA lot of patients can panic when they\u2019re told they need a blood test. The doctor says \u2018get a blood test\u2019 and the patient thinks there\u2019s got to be something wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut then they can\u2019t get a blood test at the GP for five weeks. The relief is they can just book on the day here. It relieves a lot of stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

The calmer nature doesn\u2019t just benefit patients. It\u2019s good for staff too, says Mr Miller.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing on the wards at Kings Mill can be really hard work,\u201d says Carl. \u201cMoving around all different patients and places. Here it\u2019s calm for patients and calm for staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

MRIs<\/p>\n

The MRI room at the CDC benefits from a new technology called \u201cAmbient Experience\u201d \u2013 the projection of relaxing atmospheric videos onto the back wall of the room, which the patient can see through a mirror above them.<\/p>\n

The patient can choose from a range of imagery, such as ocean and forest scenes, designed for relaxation, especially if they\u2019re claustrophobic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had massive success with this,\u201d says Claire Barnes, lead radiographer. \u201cPatients who are extremely claustrophobic and can\u2019t manage any other scanner, we bring them here, and they\u2019ve managed it, and all said how they think they feel more at ease.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe building is light and airy. There\u2019s less time pressure. This has been a godsend for us, and our patients absolutely love it. We\u2019re getting patients who\u2019ve been here wanting to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

CT scans<\/p>\n

CT scans also happen here.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re trying to move as much of the outpatient stuff from Kings Mill down here,\u201d says Carl. \u201cIt\u2019s a win-win.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Middle-aged<\/p>\n

The CDC has benefits for both patients and staff, says clinical deployment lead Carl Miller(Image: Joseph Raynor\/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n

The staff agree: \u201cIt\u2019s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of King\u2019s Mill.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s busy \u2013 but calmer and easier to manage in an environment where they can walk in and out.<\/p>\n

The team here has already completed 757 scans in June up until the 26th \u2013 more than what was expected.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the right environment for that patient,\u201d says Carl.<\/p>\n

Endoscopy<\/p>\n

Endoscopies are an easy process at the CDC, with two separate corridors for men and women, each with changing rooms, waiting rooms, and examination rooms.<\/p>\n

Patients whose endoscopies show abnormalities can be taken straight to a CT scan, just a few seconds\u2019 walk away.<\/p>\n

In a traditional hospital, they\u2019d probably be sent home and have to wait for a further scan, increasing anxiety.<\/p>\n

Other services<\/p>\n

As well as a whole other department for ultrasound scans \u2013 the type used for pregnancies \u2013 there are also rooms here that other local services, such as sexual health or dermatology, can use.<\/p>\n

They\u2019d usually run their services elsewhere, and still do, but they can use the CDC on occasion to ease pressure.<\/p>\n

\"Clinical<\/p>\n

There are spare rooms available for use for other services, easing capacity at other hospitals and medical centres(Image: Joseph Raynor\/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n

The benefits<\/p>\n

Dr Thomas says that the opening of Mansfield\u2019s CDC has been a resounding success.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been stunning,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019re now almost at 100% capacity of what we predicted to be. The staff love it and the patients love it. It\u2019s working like a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can feel it here. Even the car park is quiet, with spaces visible as soon as we drive in.<\/p>\n

There are no walk-ins here, but patients have their appointments on time, and there are hardly any backlogs or delays.<\/p>\n

And there\u2019s more.<\/p>\n

Areas around beds are bigger \u2013 the size they should be.<\/p>\n

Facilities for the same department are right next to each other \u2013 such as the cleaning facilities for the endoscopy team\u2019s exam rooms.<\/p>\n

The list goes on.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s because it\u2019s all been built in one process, with patient and staff input, unlike traditional hospitals, which are sometimes built piecemeal over many years.<\/p>\n

When can we expect Nottingham\u2019s CDC?<\/p>\n

Nottingham\u2019s CDC is set to open in less than a year\u2019s time, with spring 2027 the target.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s despite the area around the Green Heart still currently bearing the skeleton of the old Broadmarsh shopping centre and looking like rubble.<\/p>\n

\"Green<\/p>\n

Where Nottingham’s Community Diagnostic Centre will be, next to the Broadmarsh Green Heart (pictured in 2024)(Image: Joseph Raynor\/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n

Dr Thomas, Carl and Amanda are all in close contact with the people leading the Nottingham project, to give them tips, dos and don\u2019ts in terms of running a CDC.<\/p>\n

And after Nottingham\u2019s opens next year, healthcare bosses could look even further in the county.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think an interesting question really is whether Nottinghamshire needs a third or a fourth CDC,\u201d says Carl. \u201cDo we need more? That\u2019s a question we are actively asking of ourselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are benefits \u2013 huge benefits. Can we capitalise on those benefits in other places and areas? I think we probably can.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The new NHS building is set to open where the old Broadmarsh centre stood, in spring 2027 06:00,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":679052,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[1398,1397,102,2960,79469,104,83873,15257,89819,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-679051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-healthcare","tag-education","tag-environment","tag-health","tag-healthcare","tag-mansfield","tag-nhs","tag-nottingham-university-hospitals","tag-nottinghamshire","tag-sherwood-forest-hospitals","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=679051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679051\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/679052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=679051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=679051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=679051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}