Southend new health centre could open 'by end of the year'

The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust has confirmed it is in the “final stages” of procuring a supplier for a Community Diagnostics Centre in Southend and added a location will be announced this Autumn.

The Victoria Shopping Centre, on Southend High Street, has been rumoured as a potential site for the health centre since plans were announced.

And Southend Council said it is “currently working with a potential client” when asked by the Echo if the health centre would be based in the shopping centre.

It is hoped the health centre will increase diagnostic capacity and provide ultrasound, echo-cardiography, respiratory and blood tests and scans while slashing wait times, similar to the health centre being created in Pitsea.

Maxine Sadza, councillor for healthier communities, said it’s “really good news” to hear residents will soon benefit from the new health centre.

She added she was looking forward to the service being “up and running” by the end of 2024.

Ms Sadza said: “It’s really good news to hear that Southend residents will soon benefit from the setting up of a community diagnostic centre locally.

“The service will offer X-ray, ultrasound, heart and lung tests, and skin tests. It means that residents will not have to travel far and this service will complement the CDC in Pitsea.

“I know that the Mid and South Essex Trust hope that this will help to reduce waiting times and improve health outcomes, and this will be in partnership with an NHS provider.

“I look forward to seeing the service up and running towards the end of this year.”

A spokesperson for Mid and South Essex said the trust is committed to opening their four community diagnostic centres in the region “as soon as they can” with work underway at the health centre in Pitsea.

They said: “We are in the final stages of procurement for our preferred supplier for Southend.

“We expect to be able to announce this in the autumn, including the location of the centre.”