New NHS centre opens in shopping mall

A new NHS diagnostics centre has opened to the public in Surrey.

The Community Diagnostics Centre in Redhill will reduce the number of patients needing to travel to East Surrey Hospital for tests such as CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds and respiratory tests, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and Surrey Heartlands ICB said.

The centre, in the Belfry Shopping Centre, welcomed its first patients on Tuesday.

Prof Andy Rhodes, joint chief medical officer at NHS Surrey Heartlands, said: "Community diagnostic centres are really helping to transform care, bringing diagnostics and medical testing much closer to home."

The site is expected to carry out about 40,000 tests and checks in its first year, which could mean about 200,000 fewer patient journeys to East Surrey Hospital over the next five years, the NHS trusts said.

Patients will also benefit from increased local access to diagnostic testing, helping them get tests and checks sooner and will be offered a 12-hour service, seven days a week, within the first year.

The trusts said it was working with its partners and local GP practices on cutting waiting times for patients, especially those most in need.

"Quicker and more efficient patient access also means we can start treatment for the most serious illnesses such as cancer sooner", Andrew Hines, chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said.

"This will also help reduce demand and waiting times for local emergency care in the coming years."

In preparation for the new centre's opening, the trusts have also spoken to Redhill residents as part of its public engagement around the launch.

Initial feedback has been positive overall, with locals welcoming the new addition, it added.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.