We’ve opened our new Barking Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), which will see our teams carry out 50,000 additional scans and tests every year.

We welcomed regional and national healthcare leaders, including Professor Sir Mike Richards, the mastermind behind the introduction CDCs, local councillors, and the new MP for Barking, Nesil Caliskan, to the state-of-the-art facility on Thursday 25 July.

The CDC will help us speed up diagnosis and treatment for our patients, including those with certain types of cancer, thanks to the innovative, minimally invasive procedures which are performed there.

This includes cytosponge, that detects cancer or pre-cancerous conditions of the stomach and gullet, and colon capsules - a capsule containing a small disposable camera which, once swallowed, takes thousands of pictures as it travels along the gut to help identify the cause of symptoms.

Sir Mike cut the ribbon alongside our receptionist, Lisa Bacon. Sir Mike said:

“The idea of CDCs started about four years ago and it’s a pleasure to be here for the opening. It is a fantastic centre, it feels spacious and it’s really going to help us get the time to diagnosis reduced, back to where it should be.”

Guests were shown around the CDC, where scans such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, and respiratory tests are carried out. Watch a video of the event below.

Our Chief Executive, Matthew Trainer, said:

The centre will have a huge impact on residents across north east London in the heart of Barking.

For those worrying they might have cancer, it means we can give them the news they need, quicker, either the all clear so they can get on with their lives, or, if they are diagnosed, we can give them the treatment they need.

Councillor Maureen Worby, who has been a big supporter of the CDC in Barking from the outset, described it as a ‘dream come true’:

“I can’t explain how much of a difference this is going to make for our local residents.

“The commitment from the very beginning to have patients involved in the design is wonderful. It means patients feel relaxed, comfortable and that they are going to be put first.”

The modern and relaxing feel of the centre, with its floor to ceiling windows, impressed attendees including Nesil Caliskan MP who said:

“I’m really delighted to be here and to see the centre which has already benefited thousands of patients in our local community.

“It’s important for residents to have access to this brilliant facility, on their doorstep.”