Community Diagnostic Centre in Gateshead welcomes its first patient

The centre, a partnership between Gateshead Health and Newcastle Hospitals as part of the Great North Healthcare Alliance, offers a variety of diagnostic services such as imaging, respiratory, and cardiac investigations. By providing these services outside of a traditional hospital setting, the CDC aims to relieve pressure on local hospitals by taking healthcare into the community. 

In just 11 months, Robertson transformed an existing retail unit into a cutting-edge facility that will not only enhance healthcare delivery but create 130 new jobs for the local economy. Local economic benefits were also delivered throughout construction, with over 90% of all spend and material being within 20 miles.

The first patient at the new centre, Susan Armstrong, 72, from Low Fell, shared her experience following an ultrasound appointment: "The building is really nice and getting here is so much easier than going to a hospital. You can park easily and just walk in. It’s a beautiful facility, and I think it’s going to make things much easier for people, whether they have cars or not."

Neil Kennedy, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction North East, said: “The collaboration of the trusts to improve healthcare infrastructure and access to essential diagnostics illustrates their on-going commitment to patient care. As a proud delivery partner for both trusts, we look forward to seeing patients benefit from the services that will be provided at this high-quality facility.”

Alison Marshall on behalf of the Great North Healthcare Alliance said: "Bringing the Community Diagnostic Centre to the Metrocentre has been all about collaboration and teamwork. This project, a partnership between Gateshead Health and Newcastle Hospitals as part of the Great North Healthcare Alliance, has allowed us to offer cutting-edge diagnostic services in a retail setting. 

“It improves access to healthcare for local people without taking any resources away from hospitals and has given us a chance to rethink how we provide diagnostic care to patients.

“Together, we're building a future-ready NHS that aims to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and testing to help people live longer, healthier lives, improves outcomes, and strengthens our region's healthcare infrastructure."

The 40,000 sq ft CDC will be managed by QE Facilities, while diagnostic services will be provided by both Gateshead Health and Newcastle Hospitals. 

Based at the Metrocentre, the facility is expected to deal with 145,000 appointments a year, providing services such as MRI, CT, ultrasound and echocardiogram scans, blood tests, and heart and lung function assessments.

Robertson Construction North East is part of Robertson Group, one of the largest family-owned construction, infrastructure and support services business in the UK. Robertson has been supporting the NHS for over 20 years, having delivered over 160 healthcare projects with many more underway.