A new state-of-the-art health centre offering more than 600 more scans a week will open in Southend High Street, it is confirmed.

Bosses at the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust have revealed the plans have taken a step closer as the Victoria Shopping Centre, owned by Southend Council, is set to become home to a new Community Diagnostic Centre.

This comes just after plans were approved for a new health centre in Pitsea, at a site formerly known as The Place.

The Victoria Shopping Centre has been touted to be the location for a new Community Diagnostic Centre for many months after Southend was confirmed as one of the chosen locations.

It is now just subject to a successful lease agreement from Southend Council.

The health centre will be offering x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiogram and lung tests, from the brand-new diagnostic hub.

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, said: “We look forward to delivering this project at pace.

"This will benefit patients by offering tests and scans in a centre in the heart of the community.

"We know it will improve health outcomes and help to reduce waiting times and look forward to working with our independent provider to deliver the centre.”

The Southend centre will be the first centre in mid and south Essex to open with a date set for mid-2025.

It will complement the services offered in the larger CDC in Pitsea, which will be open to residents across south Essex in 2026.

The centre is one of four in mid and south Essex, with CDCs in Thurrock, Braintree, and Pitsea already in the building phases.

Michael Catling, chief operating officer for THH, added: “We are thrilled to be bringing these additional appointments for the people of Southend right into the high street.

"This will be more accessible for patients and will help our NHS colleagues with much needed capacity.

"Our company’s heart and home is south Essex so we are delighted to offer a fantastic local service in the heart of our community.”