A landmark £25m Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has been officially opened at Upton Hospital in Slough, marking a significant investment in the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
Delivered by leading offsite construction specialists, Western, the new 2,800m² facility is designed to radically improve access to essential scans and tests for the local population.
The project was completed within a 52-week timeframe through the use of advanced off-site manufacturing and BIM 3D modelling. By pre-assembling modules away from the site, the structure was made watertight within just five days of installation. This modern method of construction significantly reduced waste, programme risk, and disruption within the live hospital environment.
Western provided a comprehensive turnkey design-and-build service for the project. Their remit included the full internal fit-out as well as essential external works, such as the development of car parking facilities and the installation of EV charging infrastructure.
Operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week, the centre is expected to provide up to 150,000 additional diagnostic tests every year. The service offering includes CT, MRI, and ultrasound scanning, together with cardiology and respiratory testing. These facilities will support the earlier diagnosis of conditions like heart disease and cancer, while simultaneously reducing waiting lists and easing the operational burden on local GP practices and Wexham Park Hospital.
The CDC’s location was chosen for its accessibility, situated within a 10-minute walk of Slough railway station and in close proximity to major bus routes. The development follows a detailed public consultation held in 2023, ensuring the facility reflects community feedback and addresses local health inequalities.
James Clarke, Chief Strategy Officer at FHFT, said: “This is an exciting moment for the Trust and the people of Slough. The centre will play a vital role in addressing health inequalities by ensuring that diagnostic services are accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live.”
Rory McGuigan, MD of Western, added: “The Slough Community Diagnostic Centre demonstrates the strength of modern methods of construction in delivering high-quality healthcare infrastructure at pace. By combining advanced off-site manufacturing, BIM-led design and a full turnkey approach, we have been able to provide Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust with a facility that is efficient, sustainable and future-focused. Most importantly, this centre will make a real difference to the people of Slough – enabling faster diagnoses, improving patient experience and supporting better health outcomes across the community. We are proud to have partnered on a project that reflects both innovation in construction and ambition in healthcare delivery.”
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