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Pitsea Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), due to open in spring 2027, is already becoming a focal point for community pride thanks to a new creative partnership with local schools.

Pupils from The Basildon Upper Academy and Northlands Primary School have worked with Creative Basildon to design a vibrant mural which has been painted onto the hoarding surrounding the construction site.

Demolition of the old building has now finished, making way for the two-storey CDC – the largest in mid and south Essex. The centre will be home to an eight-room endoscopy unit, as well as state-of-the-art CT and MRI scanning facilities. Once complete the centre will transform access to critical diagnostic services, allowing patients to receive tests and scans more quickly, leading to earlier detection, faster diagnosis, and improved health outcomes for the community.

The centre will also serve as a hub for wellbeing, with a brand-new activity centre and library, delivered in partnership with Essex County Council and Basildon Council.

While construction is underway and community services are temporarily relocated, the mural project is bringing life and creativity to the site. The artwork, designed by local children under the guidance of Creative Basildon, celebrates Pitsea’s identity and reflects the spirit of community collaboration that underpins the CDC project.

James Currell, Acting Divisional Director for Clinical and Support Services at the Trust, said:

Pitsea Community Diagnostic Centre will be a major step forward for mid and south Essex, improving access to vital diagnostic services and creating a welcoming space for the whole community. While construction is underway the mural is a wonderful way to reflect the spirit of Pitsea and remind everyone that this centre is being built for them.

Councillor Melissa McGeorge, Cabinet Member for Ageing Population and Health, added: “We are pleased to see work on the Pitsea Community Diagnostic Centre proceeding at speed thanks to the work of councillors and it gladdens me to see the borough’s schools working with Creative Basildon on designing the mural for the hoardings.

“This is a massive investment for Pitsea as there will be about 200,000 people using the facility every year – this in turn will boost footfall in the area and will be great for traders, the market and the area as a whole.”

Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health and Integration at Essex County Council, said:

The range of services offered by the new Community Diagnostic Centre, from MRI scans and endoscopies to x-rays and phlebotomy, will make a real difference for those waiting for treatment. It is great to see community pride on display with this mural and we look forward to the works progressing.

Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture at Essex County Council, added: “Pitsea Library and The Place will transform into an exciting new community hub to accommodate the diagnostic centre. Library services will continue to be provided at the neighbouring Vange Library. This mural by local schools illustrates the excitement we all feel about this new centre.”

Louise Playfair, Art Instructor at Northlands Primary School, said:

We are really pleased to be involved, it’s a lovely community project. We are really excited as are the children to be here and play a part in something that’s so important to Pitsea. It’s so nice that some of their ideas, thoughts and feedback have been included into this artwork.

Rachel Brown, Programme Director at Creative Basildon, said: “Creative Basildon works hand in hand with the community to weave arts and culture into everyday life. This mural is a vibrant example of what we can achieve together – celebrating Pitsea’s identity and spirit through creativity and collaboration.”

The centre is being built by MTX Contracts Ltd who funded the artwork installation. David Hartley, MTX Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Trust in creating this vital new facility for local communities, and it is wonderful to see the ideas of local young people bringing the site to life.

By applying modern methods of construction alongside our healthcare expertise, we are looking forward to ensuring the new centre is delivered efficiently and to the highest standards, providing real benefits for patients, staff and the wider community.

Pitsea CDC is part of a national initiative to expand diagnostic capacity and bring services closer to home. Thurrock CDC opened in September with two other centres currently in development in Southend and Braintree.