Yesterday, Medical Imaging Partnership was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes and Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, for a comprehensive tour of one of its cutting-edge diagnostic imaging facilities that it operates across Sussex and the South of England.  

Located on the outskirts of the city, the Brighton Community Diagnostic & Treatment Centre, is one of more than 100 Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) that the Government have championed across the country, in order to help support local NHS Hospital Trusts to reduce waiting times for scans and other diagnostic tests.  

Situated within the American Express Stadium in Falmer, home to Brighton and Hove Albion FC, the centre showcases an innovative collaboration between the National Health Service (NHS) and the independent sector and is a well-known and established community facility provided in the heart of a local community, for the local community. 

Steve Bird, CEO of Medical Imaging Partnership, and Karen Planterose, Operations Director, were introduced to the ministers and provided an insightful overview of the services provided at this centre which includes MRI, CT, ultrasound, and physiological services including spirometry and phlebotomy. 

Accompanied by Centre Manager, Lorraine Holmes, the visitors explored the centre’s operations and met with the staff members and clinicians who play a pivotal role in delivering accurate and swift diagnoses. The highly skilled and multi-disciplinary team work closely together to deliver a rapid access service across many different diagnostic modalities. 

Medical Imaging Partnership has been delivering high-quality radiology services for both the NHS partners and the independent sector for over a decade. They have a number of sites and centres across Sussex, Kent, London, Weybridge and Stockport, all led by qualified and experienced healthcare professionals. 

The success of the Brighton Community Diagnostic & Treatment Centre is reflected not only in its unique and state-of-the-art infrastructure but also in the feedback from the patients it serves. 

Testimonials highlight the compassionate and professional approach of the staff, ensuring patients’ comfort and reassurance throughout the diagnostic process, aligned with improved access and reduced waiting times. 

The facility’s commitment to delivering patient-centric care echoes the broader national agenda of enhancing healthcare experiences for local communities. 

Of the visit, Medical Imaging Partnerships CEO, Steve Bird says:  

“I was delighted to meet with Steve Barclay and Maria Caulfield along with other health and social care leaders from within the regional NHS teams. We are all very proud of the Brighton facility and the team were delighted to have the opportunity to showcase what they do, highlighting that collaboration and health system integration can truly benefit the health and well-being of a local community. Our supportive partners at Brighton & Hove Albion football club have been central to us being able to deliver this community facility and we are both proud of what has been achieved with this unique collaboration. Central to the success of this facility of course is down to the care and service provided by our clinical and administration teams and it is their enthusiasm and dedication that puts the heart into this community facility. We look forward to further supporting our regional NHS Trust partners in the future and to providing further such innovation and partnership”.