By Mal Butler
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester officially opened Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s Community Diagnostic Centre, during a visit to the Island last Friday (May 1).
The purpose-built centre, which opened at the end of 2024, is giving access to scans, tests, and checks for local people, helping patients receive faster diagnoses, and reducing the need to travel to the mainland. In the first 12 months of the Community Diagnostic Centre opening, the team have delivered activity equivalent to treating around 88 per cent of the Island’s population.
The centre provides a wide range of diagnostic services, including imaging, cardiology, and respiratory testing, supporting earlier diagnosis and faster access to treatment, while allowing more care to be delivered closer to home.
During the visit, The Duchess was welcomed by Michelle Stanley, chief strategy officer, and Steve Parker, Isle of Wight NHS Trust medical director, and met staff working across the centre to hear how the facility is enhancing care for the community. Colleagues shared how streamlined pathways and increased diagnostic capacity are helping to reduce waiting times and improve patient outcomes.
The Duchess also toured the Trust’s Emergency Department, including the Children’s Emergency Department, which has been designed to better meet the needs of young people and families.
Mr Parker said: “Our Emergency Department, including the Children’s Emergency Department, has been designed with both patients and staff in mind. The new environment allows us to deliver care more efficiently, while also improving privacy and comfort for patients.
“The dedicated children’s facilities, including sensory and play areas, are particularly important in helping us support young people in what can often be a stressful situation.”
Mrs Stanley added: “This is a significant milestone for healthcare on the Island. The centre is already helping people access quicker tests and diagnoses closer to home, and the level of activity we have seen reflects just how important this service is for our community.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the dedication of our staff and the difference these new facilities are making for patients every day.”
To commemorate the occasion, The Duchess unveiled a plaque marking the official opening of the Community Diagnostic Centre.
It was a busy day for the Duchess, who was accompanied by Deputy Lieutenant, Mrs Dawn Haig-Thomas. She also visited the Ability Dogs 4 Young People’s Training Centre, at Sandown Airport, and met volunteers and recipients.
On arrival, Mrs Haig-Thomas introduced the charity’s Founder and CEO, Carol Court, and two volunteer puppy parents, Alan Thompson and Janet Harris, with their puppies in training, Jerry and Perry. Perry is the charity’s newest recruit, at just eight weeks old.
Janet explained: “I do the eight weeks to six months part of the puppy training, and I absolutely love it. I’ve never had two alike; they all have their own personalities. When a puppy arrives, it’s exciting to see their personality start to emerge.”
The Duchess was shown into the main training hall, where Her Royal Highness watched a demonstration by eight puppy parents with their Ability Dog puppies in training, ranging from seven months to two years old. They showed a range of skills they were learning, from basics like lying down while the person moves away, to complex tasks like opening the cupboard and getting out a bowl. They were all really well behaved and enjoyed ‘showing off’ to their royal visitor.
Carol said: “I hope The Duchess of Gloucester enjoyed meeting everyone and our dogs and puppies. It was such an honour to meet Her Royal Highness and to have the chance to show her first hand the broad scope of our charitable work across the Island, and how we are really changing so many people’s lives for the better.
“Often the people we help are ‘hidden’ as they don’t go out before they get one of our Ability Dogs. I hope this visit helps to broadcast the fantastic difference we are making.”
Isle of Wight Observer