Our first patients have been seen in our new state-of-the-art Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital (BCH).

Since opening, patient feedback has been excellent with many complimenting the modern and relaxing feel of the facility and the staff, with one patient describing it as "the NHS at its best, an excellent service."

One of those was local resident Sam (below) who was one of the first patients to receive an MRI scan. Other patients have had ultrasound scans and appointments for other specialiaties that are available at the centre.

It means our local communities and residents across north east London can access quicker, more convenient and a more personal service away from acute hospital sites.

Once the centre is fully up and running, we will perform more than 60,000 scans and tests a year. Throughout the construction process, the Barking site was boosted with additional scanners and x-ray machines which played a big part in helping us reduce waiting lists and treat residents faster.

CDCs are a national programme set up to ensure patients have access to planned diagnostic care nearer to home without the need to attend acute hospital sites.

The site was chosen at BCH to help us meet growing demand in the area and reduce health inequalities. The area is expected to see a significant increase in population over the next 20 to 30 years and the change in demographics in the borough will contribute to a 21% rise in the demand for services.

The open and spacious facility was built off-site at a factory in Gloucester and was designed to make it feel light and relaxing for patients through big floor to ceiling windows throughout and an open and welcoming reception and waiting area. It will also have suitable waiting, changing and other public facilities.

Colours have also been used to improve the experience for patients with dementia and ramps, lifts and accessible changing rooms throughout are just some of the aspects included that were put forward by patients when gathering feedback.

Building a centre that’s right for you

It was important that residents had their say to help us design and build a centre that is right for them. Read our report to find out what people told us, from how we can make the environment relaxing to preferred appointment times.

We also engaged with residents who live closest to Barking Community Hospital, to find out their thoughts on the design of the CDC.

We captured their feedback by running a survey and holding public and virtual drop-in sessions. Read the findings of this work in our second engagement report.

In the meantime, please send an email if you have any queries about CDCs.