NHSPS is delighted to announce that Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is now officially open. Delivered by NHS Property Services (NHSPS) in partnership of NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), the state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in Leicestershire and will offer a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home, giving greater choice and easing pressure on our busy hospitals. 

Located next to the site of the former Hinckley and District Community Hospital on Mount Road, the CDC will provide a range of diagnostic tests such as CT, MRI, X-Ray, Ultrasound, Phlebotomy, Dermatology, Audiology assessments and Endoscopy. 

Paul Jones, Regional Capital Project Lead at NHSPS, said: “It’s fantastic to have delivered this vital community facility on our site in an accessible location so close to the town centre. This new building will provide a step-change in the quality and variety of care that the NHS is able to provide for the people of Hinckley and the wider area.  By supporting earlier diagnosis, improving access to care closer to home, and helping modernise NHS infrastructure, this CDC directly contributes to the three key shifts outlined in the government’s vision for the NHS. Our team is also looking forward to providing facilities management services for the building going forward.” 

Cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening of the facility, Dr Luke Evans MP for Hinckley and Bosworth added: “This is a historic day for Hinckley’s health provision as we open the next chapter of healthcare right in the heart of our town. We all know what an improvement this local facility will make to people’s lives as they won’t need to travel into Leicester or over to the George Eliot for things like MRI or CT scans, ultrasounds, endoscopy appointments, X-Rays and blood tests. I’m so pleased to have worked with our local NHS to secure the funding and play my part in making this long-awaited investment a reality for our community. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard over the past few years to make this happen for all of us locally. This will be truly transformative to people and families across Hinckley and Bosworth.” 

The CDC is another clear example of how NHSPS is delivering on the government’s three key shifts in healthcare, which form the basis of the soon to be published 10-year health plan: prevention, improved technology and delivering care closer to home. The building spans approximately 2,000 sqm and is equipped to perform up to 89,000 tests annually. Patients now have access to a comprehensive suite of diagnostic services including X-Ray, CT, MRI, endoscopy, and ultrasound. The centre was constructed by Darwin Group, using innovative offsite modular building techniques, enabling faster delivery and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional construction methods.  

The project was made possible through a £24.6 million investment from NHS England’s national programme to expand CDCs in community settings across the country. Planning approval was granted by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, and construction began in 2024. 

Helen Hendley, Director of Planned Care for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) said: “Today’s official opening marks a milestone for the Community Diagnostic Centre and the people of Hinckley and surrounding areas. I am delighted for the community to see the project come to fruition to benefit local healthcare provision and support patients to get the diagnosis and treatment that they need more quickly.”  

Jon Melbourne, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, added: “We are excited to be bringing important diagnostic services into the community, and this shows our commitment to provide state-of-the-art healthcare for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. This is part of our wider strategy to improve care, and to cut both waiting lists and waiting times. I'm proud to celebrate this milestone today, and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project.”  

Dr Jess Sokolov, Regional Medical Director of NHS England in the Midlands, said: “Providing more convenient access to diagnostic testing is a key part of the national Elective Reform Plan, and we have already seen how much people in the Midlands benefit from direct referral from their local doctor to an expanded range of scans and tests on their doorstep. This is an exciting time for local people in Hinckley as they will be able to access high-quality NHS diagnostic services faster, and closer to home.” 

Nick Dawe, managing direct for Darwin Group, added: “I am very proud of Darwin Group team members who helped to design and deliver Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre. We’re thankful for the close collaboration we received on this project from University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board and NHS Property Services.”