Pioneering construction firm Darwin Group joined key delivery partners to celebrate the ground breaking ceremony as construction commenced on the new community diagnostic centre in Hinckley.

The ceremony, at the existing site of the Hinckley and District Community Hospital, marks the start of work on the Hinkley Community Diagnostic Centre by the leading offsite healthcare specialist construction firm, when completed, the centre will provide CT and MRI scans, endoscopy, X-ray, and ultrasound facilities with a capacity to provide 89,000 scans each year.

The investment in health services is one of only forty to be awarded nationally by NHS funding in England.

Helen Hendley, Director of Planned Care for the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) said, “Today’s ground breaking ceremony marks an exciting milestone for the Community Diagnostic Centre and the people of Hinckley and surrounding areas. I would like to thank the project team including our partners from University Hospitals of Leicester and NHS Property Services for their dedication in getting us to this stage of the development.

“We have engaged with local people on our plans over several years and I am delighted to see our shared vision to transform community health services in Hinckley, moving a step closer to becoming a reality.

“The Community Diagnostic Centre will be a purpose-built facility providing a range of diagnostic checks, scans, and tests closer to peoples’ homes. Local people can look forward to the new facilities being fully operational from early 2025.”

Planning permission for the new facility was granted by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council after close and proactive working between the NHS and the local Council.

Councillor Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council added, “I’m glad to see the progress being made on Hinckley’s new Diagnostic Centre.

“Right from the beginning, we’ve been working closely with the NHS on this project, and I know our residents are relieved to see the work to upgrade this long awaited and much needed facility is underway. The council approved the plans for the new centre because we know from speaking to residents just how important it is for Hinckley and Bosworth.”

UHL Chief Operating Officer Jon Melbourne also added, “This is an important milestone, as the Community Diagnostic Centre is a key part of the work we are doing with our system partners to bring care closer to home. It will also benefit patients and families by reducing the length of time people have to wait for access to diagnostic services.”

The ICB commissioned Darwin Group as contractors for the project.

Jim Pierce, Deputy CEO at Darwin Group said, “We’re delighted to mark the official start of build works for Hinckley’s Community Diagnostic Centre and are proud to work alongside our NHS partners to deliver this major project.

“This facility will improve access to incredibly important services, so it is good to hear about the positive impact the new facilities will make for the patients of Hinkley and the surrounding areas.

“We’re looking forward to continuing our work closely with the Trust to successfully deliver the project over the coming months.”

Andrew Strange, Estate Strategy Lead for the South at NHS Property Services added, “We are focused on delivering a better NHS estate that’s fit for the future, and on investing and optimising the buildings where our NHS colleagues deliver excellent patient care and where patients feel safe and happy.

“This superb new facility replaces a smaller, outdated building and will enable people to access diagnostic tests much closer to their homes, in a community setting. We’re really excited to be part of it and looking forward to its completion in early 2025.”