Thousands to benefit from newly opened Community Diagnostic Centre

Faster access to tests and scans are now available as the new Braintree Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) welcomes its first patients.

Located on the site of Braintree Community Hospital, the centre will provide around 75,000 extra diagnostic appointments each year, helping more people access the tests they need in a modern community setting.

Open seven days a week, the centre offers MRI and CT scans, ultrasound, blood tests, and heart and lung checks.

It’s fantastic to see patients now benefiting from this major investment in local healthcare.

The new centre provides a modern, welcoming environment with the latest diagnostic technology, helping more people access tests and scans closer to home.

Natasha Kerrigan, Chief Estates and Infrastructure Officer at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

The new Braintree Community Diagnostic Centre will make a real difference to the lives of residents across our district. Having access to more diagnostic services locally means people can receive important tests sooner, with less travelling and disruption to their daily lives. It represents a significant investment in the health and wellbeing of our communities and is something we can all be proud of.

Councillor Toby Williams, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing at Braintree District Council

Braintree is the third of four Community Diagnostic Centres to open across mid and south Essex, joining existing centres in Thurrock and Southend. The fourth and largest centre is due to open in Pitsea in summer 2027.

Community diagnostic services are also available elsewhere in Essex, including centres in Epping, operated by Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, and Clacton, operated by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.