CORNWALL residents will benefit from faster access to vital NHS tests and scans following the opening of Camborne and Redruth Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) by Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth MP.

Situated next to Camborne Redruth Community Hospital, the state-of-the-art facility is part of a national programme to bring diagnostic services closer to rural and coastal communities by reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to hospital sites.

With X-rays, MRI and CT scans, blood tests, ECGs, respiratory checks and endoscopy services being offered under one roof, patients can receive faster diagnoses and more timely treatment.

The Camborne and Redruth CDC is a partnership between NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (CIOSICB) and specialist diagnostic provider InHealth, which last year carried out more than 96,000 tests from mobile units at CDCs in Bodmin and Penzance. Many thousands of patients are expected to benefit from the services being delivered at the permanent Redruth site.

“I’m really pleased to be here to see this fantastic centre in Redruth,” said Ms Smith. “This is exactly what we want to do as part of our 10-year health plan.

“We know that the health service has got a long way to go to get back to those standards we all expect but centres like this, seeing people more quickly and more conveniently, are a key part of that.”

Debbie Richards, chief executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust added: “Alongside Rosewarne Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, this facility is really bringing community hospital sites like Camborne and Redruth into the 21st century.”

As well as strong public transport links, an additional 22 new parking bays have been provided to ensure easy and convenient access for patients and visitors.