100,000th patient at Clatterbridge Diagnostics Centre
A centre set up at Clatterbridge to reduce NHS waiting lists and increase capacity for earlier diagnosis has welcomed its 100,000th patient.
Clatterbridge Diagnostics Centre was set up in July 2021 as a partnership between Wirral University Teaching Hospital and The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. It was one of 92 diagnostics hubs, also called Community Diagnostics Centres, set up nationally through funding from NHS England.
Clatterbridge Diagnostics Centre offers patients a range of diagnostic facilities such as MRI and CT scans, cardiorespiratory, phlebotomy and ultrasound. Situated away from acute hospital facilities at Clatterbridge, patients benefit from quicker tests for a wide range of conditions including heart disease, lung conditions and cancer, designated appointment times and greater convenience, whilst also helping to reduce the pressure on acute hospitals.
Grandmother Vivien Wharton, 69, from Pensby, was the 100,000th patient to be seen at the centre, after being referred by her GP.
Vivien said: “I was pleasantly surprised at how quick it was to be seen after being referred by the GP. I had scans and I was only in there for literally minutes. All the staff were professional and very friendly. I was very impressed. It was a really nice surprise to be the 100,000th patient.”
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “It’s important that patients are treated as soon as possible, and the Diagnostics Centre has been key to achieving this. Patients are getting faster access to investigations which supports earlier diagnosis. This centre has benefitted 100,000 patients and has had a huge impact on many patients’ lives since it was set up.”
The centre was one of the first Community Diagnostics Centres to be set up in England and strong partnership work between NHS organisations has been key to its success.
Liz Bishop, Senior Responsible Officer for Diagnostics in Cheshire and Merseyside and Chief Executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, added: “It is brilliant to see the 100,000th patient receive their tests at our Clatterbridge Diagnostic Centre. This is a really great achievement for everyone involved and it’s lovely to see such a glowing endorsement from Vivien about the care she received.
“With 10 CDCs across Cheshire and Merseyside now in operation, our goal is to ensure that our patients and service users are getting the diagnostic tests they need in a more timely way and closer to their home. CDCs are having a big impact on reducing our waiting lists and providing more convenient testing locations away from our busy hospitals and we look forward to celebrating the next 100,000th patient.”
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Photo caption:
Vivien Wharton who was presented with flowers for being the 100,000th patient at Clatterbridge Diagnostics Centre.