By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust officially opened a new Community Diagnostic Centre, at St Mary’s Hospital, on Monday, designed to enhance access to life-saving checks and faster diagnoses for Island residents.
The state-of-the-art facility aims to improve outcomes for patients with serious long-term health conditions such as cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. The centre will support expanded testing services in cardiac and respiratory physiology, sleep studies, and diagnostic imaging, alongside a relocated fracture clinic and phlebotomy services.
The opening of the centre is part of an investment strategy by the NHS Trust, which has also seen the expansion of the Intensive Care Unit, refurbishment of St Helens surgical ward, and a new Ambulance Station. A further £2 million has been invested in staff recruitment, training, and equipment to support these advancements.
Chief officer, Joe Smyth, said: “The new centre will transform the way Islanders will be able to access the diagnostic care they need and reduce the number of times people will have to come to hospital.”
The new facility has created more than 40 new posts for a mixture of existing and new staff.
Construction of the centre began in August 2023, after local contractors Mountjoy were awarded the building project. Their projects director, Duncan O’Rourke, said: “Mountjoy are extremely proud to have been part of the team in delivering these fantastic new healthcare facilities for the benefit of the island community.”
Mal Butler