MRI craned into new Community Diagnostic Centre
A state‑of‑the‑art MRI scanner has been lifted into place at the new Braintree Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC).
It’s used to take detailed pictures of the inside of the body and to help diagnose conditions, plan treatment and check how well treatment is working,
The key installation, marks one of the final stages of construction as the centre prepares to welcome patients in the next few months.
James Currell, Operational Delivery Director for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said:
It’s fantastic to see the arrival of our MRI scanner, knowing that later this summer we’ll be open to patients and starting to significantly improve how people access diagnostic care closer to home.
Once open, the CDC will offer approximately 75,000 additional diagnostic appointments in its first year.
By increasing local access to MRI and CT scans, ultrasounds, blood tests, and heart and lung assessments, the centre will help reduce waiting times and make sure patients can receive vital investigations more quickly and closer to home.
When complete the centre will operate seven days a week, providing a streamlined, one‑stop location for checks, tests and scans under one roof.
James said:
Braintree will be the third of our CDCs to open in mid and south Essex and together, these centres will create a more reliable, accessible network of diagnostic services designed to meet growing demand.
Braintree CDC forms part of a wider NHS programme to expand diagnostic provision across mid and south Essex. Thurrock and Southend CDCs are already open and supporting patients, while Pitsea CDC is expected to open in summer 2027.