A new Community Diagnostic Centre at the Metrocentre has welcomed its first patient as part of a £18.6 million investment to improve diagnostic services for the local community.
The centre, a partnership between Newcastle Hospitals and Gateshead Health as part of the Great North Healthcare Alliance, will offer a variety of diagnostic services such as imaging, respiratory, and cardiac investigations. By providing these services outside of a traditional hospital setting, the Community Diagnostic Centre aims to relieve pressure on local hospitals by taking healthcare into the community.
Situated in one of the region’s most accessible and well-known areas, the Metrocentre, the centre offers patients the ability to undergo necessary diagnostic tests without the need to travel to a hospital. The facility will provide services such as MRI, CT, ultrasound and echocardiogram scans, blood tests, and heart and lung function assessments.
The building will be managed by QE Facilities, while diagnostic services will be provided by both Gateshead Health and Newcastle Hospitals. This collaborative effort will not only enhance healthcare delivery but also create over 130 new jobs, contributing to the local economy.
The first patient at the new centre, Susan Armstrong, 72, from Low Fell, shared her experience following an ultrasound appointment: “Being the very first patient at this centre was quite special – it felt nice to be the first, even sitting on a bed no one had sat on before.
“The building is really nice and getting here is so much easier than going to a hospital. You can park easily and just walk in. It’s a beautiful facility, and I think it’s going to make things much easier for people, whether they have cars or not.”
Another patient, Gemma Ridley, 38, from Winlaton, also attended the centre for an ultrasound appointment and reflected on her visit: “Being one of the first patients to come in today was a bit daunting at first. I didn’t expect it to feel so much like a hospital, but everything seemed fine. It was really easy to get here, especially with the parking right outside. The appointment was thorough, and everyone was very nice. Overall, it was a good experience.”
Alison Marshall on behalf of the Great North Healthcare Alliance said: “Bringing the Community Diagnostic Centre to the Metrocentre has been all about collaboration and teamwork. This project, a partnership between Gateshead Health and Newcastle Hospitals as part of the Great North Healthcare Alliance, has allowed us to offer cutting-edge diagnostic services in a retail setting.
“It improves access to healthcare for local people without taking any resources away from hospitals and has given us a chance to rethink how we provide diagnostic care to patients.
“Together, we’re building a future-ready NHS that aims to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and testing to help people live longer, healthier lives, improves outcomes, and strengthens our region’s healthcare infrastructure.”
Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council and Newcastle Council, said: “Improving access to health care is essential to reducing the impact of health inequalities on our communities in the North East.
“Early diagnosis can also make all the difference to people’s long-term health outcomes. By situating the new community diagnostic centre at a site with fantastic public transport links, people who live and work in the area can access appointments in a setting they visit regularly, reducing pressure on urgent care settings as well as making people feel more comfortable in a familiar place.”
Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, Asset Manager of Metrocentre, said: “Welcoming the first patient into Metrocentre’s new NHS Community Diagnostic Centre is a landmark moment for the centre, as we push ahead with our strategy to evolve it into a place that serves the wider needs of the community. Metrocentre houses best-in-class retail and leisure but is also increasingly an industry leader in the way it incorporates services and amenities such as healthcare. Accessibility, security, and complementary visitor purposes make Metrocentre stand out for those alternative uses. We are committed to investing in key facilities and working in partnership, to forge a destination that is both a shopping centre and town centre for our community.”
Dr Neil O’Brien, chief medical officer at North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This is great news for people in Gateshead and Newcastle. First class facilities, a convenient location and shorter waits all add up to a better experience for patients.
“Right across the region we are working towards better health and care for all. Earlier diagnosis helps people get the treatment they need faster, so it’s a really positive step to offer more diagnostic services in our communities.”
Neil Kennedy, regional managing director, Robertson Construction North East, said: “The collaboration of the trusts to improve healthcare infrastructure and access to essential diagnostics illustrates their on-going commitment to patient care. As a proud delivery partner for both trusts, we look forward to seeing patients benefit from the services that will be provided at this high-quality facility.”
David Gullane, Regional Director AtkinsRéalis said: “Having been involved in the Community Diagnostics Centre journey from the beginning it’s great to see the NHS welcoming the first patient through the doors. The collaborative approach between everyone involved has ensured we have been able to deliver a world class facility in a timely fashion for the local community culminating in delivering the construction element of the works in under twelve months. 
“It’s not only a great facility for both Newcastle and Gateshead NHS Trusts, Patients and Staff but also for the region as a whole due to the social value impact it’s had during construction with over 90% of all spend and material being within 20 miles but also the continued social and economic impact it will have for the Metrocentre”
The Gateshead service will be followed by further Community Diagnostic Centres in other parts of the North East and North Cumbria region, with new facilities currently under development in Stockton and Workington.
