Wood Green Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has expanded to include MRI and CT diagnostic testing in the heart of Haringey from the high street. The CDC is one of the first to be located within a shopping centre enabling patients to receive diagnostic imaging without having to attend a main hospital site. Through community engagement and assertive outreach, the CDC aims to increase access to diagnostic care for traditionally underserved communities. Over 65,000 diagnostic tests have been conducted at Wood Green CDC since opening. Nearly 75% of people using the CDC live in the three areas of greatest deprivation in Haringey, demonstrating the success of the CDC's location and engagement initiatives in addressing local needs*.
Repurposing vacant space in the shopping centre offers a pragmatic solution to the shortage of local healthcare facilities while also addressing a national shortage of access to care and waiting times for diagnostic tests. This strategic transformation in a high street environment began last year, when blood tests, x-ray, ultrasound, and ophthalmology services were introduced during phase one of the project. In January 2023, work began to expand the CDC from one floor to two. The most recent phase includes the addition of new imaging facilities, including a CT provided by Siemens Healthineers.
“It’s an exciting time to be working in the NHS with the development of community diagnostic centres, and equally exciting for the community of North Central London as the new CDC opens within The Mall at Wood Green,” states Gemma Walsh, CT/MRI Lead Radiographer at Wood Green NHS Community Diagnostic Centre. “The CDC at Wood Green not only brings CT and MRI diagnostic imaging into the community, making it easy for patients to access, but it also allows GPs to directly refer patients for some imaging examinations. Patients can receive diagnostic imaging without having to attend a main hospital site or wait for a hospital referral. This will allow the NHS to achieve its aims of reducing waiting times for diagnostic imaging and help combat local health inequalities.”
“This endeavour is a testament to our longstanding relationship with Whittington Health NHS Foundation Trust and our shared history of multiple successful installations and unwavering support,” states Matt Gibson, Head of Diagnostic Imaging at Siemens Healthineers Great Britain & Ireland. “Our collaboration extends beyond conventional hospital setups, elevating patient care by integrating a range of advanced diagnostic technology from Siemens Healthineers. Together, we anticipate further expanding the exceptional access to care that Wood Green CDC offers to patients throughout North Central London.”
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* Statistics and information courtesy of Wood Green Community Diagnostic Centre