We welcomed Dame Margaret Hodge MP and members of the Barking and Dagenham Place-Based Partnership to Barking Community Hospital (BCH) on Monday 24 October, as part of our commitment to work collaboratively with local partners to deliver integrated services.

Colleagues from NHS North East London (NEL) and Barking and Dagenham Public Health joined Dame Margaret, our Chair Jacqui Smith, Director of Strategy and Partnerships Ann Hepworth and members of our Radiology department.

The visit was an opportunity to discuss closer working opportunities that will benefit local residents, as well as showcasing our upgraded diagnostic equipment which is helping us treat residents more quickly.

Speaking about the visit, Dame Margaret said: "I was very pleased to have visited Barking Community Hospital and learn of the proposed Community Diagnostic Centre. It was great meeting staff who began as apprentices and have developed into vital roles such as Radiologists and Mammographers. 

“These are much needed developments that I hope will continue to strengthen health care for my constituents. I look forward to seeing the Community Diagnostic Centre materialise in the near future."

BCH has been boosted by more mobile CT and MRI scanners, ultrasound facilities and X-ray machines in the last year. A purpose-built Community Diagnostic Centre has also been proposed, as part of NEL-wide programme to increase the number of checks, scans and tests in our boroughs.

Sharon Morrow, NHS NEL Borough Director for Barking and Dagenham, said: “We have a fantastic opportunity to network services and work collaboratively with partners, to ensure we serve the needs of local communities.

“BCH is recognised across north east London as a site with potential and we know residents like to receive care here. It’s been great to visit and see the exciting diagnostic plans that will benefit so many people.”

Our Chair Jacqui Smith said: “It’s been great to host key partners and I’m excited by the positive conversations we’re having about what we can do next.

“The proposed CDC is great and we must continue to build the place-based partnership, so we can provide services that Barking and Dagenham residents need.”