Tree-mendous school visit helps shape Community Diagnostic Centre
School children were ‘planting for patients’ at the site of Braintree’s new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) today. They were helping to plant trees and learn how local people will benefit when the centre opens this summer.
The pupils from Great Bradford’s Junior School in Braintree were given a tour of the site, met the project team, and helped create part of the landscaping that will welcome patients.
One of them, Austin, aged 7, said: “It was exciting to see the building before it opens. They told us all about the machines. Planting the trees made me feel happy.”
This visit helped show the next generation how investment like this improves healthcare and benefits the local community.
Located on the site of Braintree Community Hospital, the CDC will provide around 75,000 additional appointments in its first year. This will help to reduce waiting times and improve access to important tests including CT and MRI scans, ultrasounds, blood tests, as well as heart and lung checks. The children were shown how different areas of the building will be used and learned about the equipment that will support faster diagnosis for people.
Justin Wrench, Headteacher of Great Bradford’s Junior School and Chairman of Braintree District Council, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to see what goes into building a centre like this. They were proud to be involved with planting the trees and learning about the CDC helped them understand how it will help their friends and family. Experiences like this broaden their horizons and stay with them for years.”
James Currell, Acting Divisional Director, Clinical and Support Services Division at the Trust, said: “Seeing the children getting involved in the development of such a significant project is truly uplifting. The new centre will transform access to healthcare for people across mid and south Essex.”
Braintree CDC is one of four community diagnostic centres being developed across mid and south Essex as part of a wider NHS programme. Thurrock and Southend CDCs are already open and seeing patients, Pitsea CDC is expected to open in summer 2027.
Once complete, Braintree CDC will be open seven days a week, providing a convenient one‑stop shop for checks, tests and scans under one roof. The centre represents a major step forward in making healthcare more accessible and efficient for residents across the district.