By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A purpose-built NHS medical centre helping to speed up diagnoses for illnesses including cancer could be built at Mansfield Community Hospital.
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust (SFH), which runs the site alongside King’s Mill and Newark Hospitals, lodged the new plans to Mansfield District Council this week.
If approved, the new centre will act as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for patients needing tests and investigations to diagnose illnesses.
This could be done in a single visit, helping them to get answers including an ‘all clear’ or a more in-depth diagnosis in less time.
The trust says the multi-million-pound plan will help people get earlier diagnoses for conditions like cancer, adding it could be “genuinely life-saving”.
Checks available at the new centre will include X-rays, scans and tests for other conditions, the trust adds.
David Ainsworth is the director of strategy and partnerships at SFH.
He said: “Community Diagnostic Centres are redefining the way patients access tests across the country.
“We’re delighted to share our own plans for a new state-of-the-art Centre right here in Mansfield.
“Our NHS staff are already providing the latest advancements in diagnostic treatment and care.
“If approved, these plans will boost those efforts and ensure that patients can access the life-saving tests, checks and treatment they need even more quickly.
“While there is still some way to go before those plans are finalised, that would be great news for patients across Nottinghamshire.
“[It would also be great news] for the hundreds of people who we hope to recruit into the medical, nursing and support roles we will need to run this exciting new facility.”
It comes after the trust was given planning consent to demolish an existing building on the Stockwell Road site to make way for the new unit.
An old ‘Victorian block’ building on the land will be demolished over a 13-week period, including five weeks for asbestos removal and eight for demolition.
Planning documents state the new building will include a public space, consultation areas, imaging, endoscopy and an MRI unit.
The plans are currently subject to a national funding bid and, if this is approved, the trust hopes thousands of patients will be welcomed each year.
It could also lead to the creation of hundreds of new jobs, the trust added.
Amanda Sullivan, chief executive at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “This facility will help so many patients to be seen and diagnosed quickly and efficiently.
“Although the centre will be based in Mansfield, this new facility – if approved – will be a huge boost for the area as a whole.
“Patients across the whole of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be able to benefit from the facilities available there.
“It will be great to see the positive impact this will have on patient care in the future.”
If planning permission and funding are approved, the purpose-built facility could open its doors to its first patients as early as autumn 2024.
