Hospital patients have already benefited from more than 16,000 extra diagnostic tests before the first brick has been laid for Nottinghamshire’s first Community Diagnostic Centre.

Mansfield Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), which is operated by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is helping to speed up the time it takes for patients to receive an ‘all clear’ or diagnosis by providing additional blood tests, X-rays, and MRI scans.

Since October 2023, the extra tests have been taking place at existing premises including the trust’s King’s Mill, Newark and Mansfield Community hospital sites, ahead of a state-of-the-art diagnostic centre being built at Mansfield Community Hospital on Stockwell Gate.

Work is under way on the derelict Victoria Hospital building on the community hospital site, ahead of its demolition later this year. The new centre, which will create job opportunities from the construction phase through to its operational stage, is expected to be ready in spring 2025.

In the meantime, patients who have been referred for a blood test by their GP or hospital team can visit the drop-in clinic at the community hospital without an appointment. For those who prefer to make an advance appointment, booking is also available online at https://tinyurl.com/3uudcesk. Patients are asked to bring their NHS number.

One patient who has benefited from the drop-in clinic is local resident Alan Streather (pictured).

“The CDC services have helped me tremendously,” he said. “Parking is easy, the staff are excellent — they have the time to talk to you and make sure you are OK. If you need a blood test I would suggest you go and see first-hand how professional it is. It’s much better than attending a very busy hospital site.”

Another patient, Jo, added: “I was able to book a same-day appointment, there were lots available. I parked, walked straight in, waited two minutes to have my blood taken, and now I’m about to leave and go back to work.”

Lauren Brown, outpatients matron at the trust, said: “We’re making it quicker and easier than ever to get a blood test. Just book an appointment or drop into our clinic between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. The community hospital is just under 100 metres from local bus stops and offers free parking on site, providing a convenient and accessible service.”

Memories of Victoria Hospital site wanted

As part of the diagnostics centre project, Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust is keen to commemorate the history of the Victoria Hospital site, which originated from the Mansfield Union Workhouse.

James Thomas, clinical lead for the centre, said: “We recognise there will be lots of interest in this exciting project from local residents, many of whom will have knowledge of the old Victoria Hospital.

“We’d love to hear from anyone who has stories or photographs relating to the site.”

Anyone who has memories and photographs is asked to contact communications officer Andros Navarro via email at [email protected]