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A new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at St Margaret's Hospital has officially opened, expanding access to diagnostic services for local residents and supporting efforts to provide healthcare closer to patients' homes.
The facility, delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction's Essex business for The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), opened in May following a project valued at more than £26 million. The development was procured through the ProCure 23 (P23) framework for NHS capital projects and forms part of a broader programme of work being undertaken by the contractor for the Trust.
The opening ceremony was marked by Cllr Janet Whitehouse, Mayor of Epping, who officially cut the ribbon. Attendees included MPs, councillors, GPs, representatives from NHS England, Morgan Sindall and members of the wider project team.
Construction work is continuing on an additional £6 million extension to the CDC, which is expected to be completed in early 2027. The expanded facility will include space for a fibroscanner for liver inflammation checks, an additional ultrasound service, X-ray facilities and trans-nasal endoscopy capabilities.
To create the new centre, Morgan Sindall refurbished and expanded an existing bungalow on the St Margaret’s Hospital site. The completed facility now provides outpatient services and additional diagnostic capabilities, including MRI scans, X-rays and non-obstetric ultrasounds.
New equipment and services at the centre include:
Two additional CT scanners
Extended X-ray operating hours
New ultrasound equipment
New cardiology equipment
New respiratory equipment
A new MRI scanner
Additional phlebotomy capacity to increase blood testing services
Morgan Sindall also incorporated sustainability measures into the project through its Intelligent Solutions approach and use of the CarboniCa digital carbon analysis tool. The company said design and construction adjustments delivered significant carbon savings, including a more efficient parapet design, changes to drainage works and reductions in secondary steelwork requirements.
The project also utilized the refurbishment of existing structures rather than developing an entirely new building, reducing material use, waste generation and associated carbon emissions.
Ryan Liversage, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Essex, said the project would provide significant benefits for both patients and the wider community.
"Celebrating the new St Margaret’s Community Diagnostic Centre officially opening its doors is an exciting moment, as we know this facility will bring a wide range of crucial healthcare benefits right to the doorstep of the community.
"Combining our team's extensive experience delivering in medical environments with a close, collaborative relationship with The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust has been central to the project’s success. This has allowed us to create a facility that is tailored to the multifaceted needs of the Trust, its patients, and the local area."
