Bedford Borough Council has welcomed the imminent start of work to create the new £24million Community Diagnostic Centre and Primary Care Facilities at Bedford North Wing, on Kimbolton Road.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced that work to transform Gilbert Hitchcock House into a community diagnostic centre (CDC) will begin later this month, offering a “one-stop shop” for diagnostic tests, checks and scans.
It is expected to be completed in 2026.
There is also a £4million project taking place to develop an Enhanced Services Centre (ESC) at North Wing, which will bring a number of GP practices and community services to the health village.
Councillor Martin Towler, Portfolio Holder for Public Health said; “This promises to offer a substantial boost to health services in Bedfordshire, meaning that patients can access potentially life-saving tests for a wide range of conditions more quickly and more easily.
“This sort of joined-up thinking is key to making healthcare a success in the 21st century, with different providers working together to provide the best possible care.
“North Wing is a site which many Bedfordians will hold close to their heart. I was born there myself, as were most of my children, so it’s great to have it remaining at the heart of healthcare in the Borough.”