As the first town centre, shopping centre-based Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in the country, Barnsley CDC sets a precedent for future healthcare delivery. Its innovative location helps to alleviate pressure on Barnsley Hospital and significantly contributes to the NHS trust’s Green Plan. Bob Kirton, Managing Director (left) at the trust explains.

Barnsley Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), uniquely positioned within the Glass Works shopping centre, marks a pioneering step in integrating healthcare with urban living and was based on the findings of the Mike Richards report¹.

Its innovative town centre location not only alleviates pressure on Barnsley Hospital but also significantly contributes to the hospital’s Green Plan, which has been developed in line with the Greener NHS national ambition.

The Glass Works centre itself is well served by public transport and boasts ample car parking, with an array of EV charging points. This accessibility encourages the use of public transport and reduces reliance on personal vehicles, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the foremost benefits of Barnsley CDC is its use of existing space within the Glass Works. The Barnsley CDC also has a fresh and modern environment, significantly improving patient and staff experiences. This modernisation is not merely aesthetic; it involves the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices.

Moreover, the CDC addresses a broad spectrum of health inequalities, contributing to the overall wellbeing of the local population. By providing testing and screening services², it ensures healthcare is accessible to all, particularly those who might otherwise face barriers to hospital visits. This not only enhances community health but also fosters a culture of preventive care, reducing the long-term demand on healthcare resources and associated environmental impacts.

Barnsley CDC stands as a model for integrating healthcare with sustainable urban living. Its location, commitment to accessibility, and focus on modern, eco-friendly practices underscore its role in promoting environmental sustainability while addressing community health needs. This pioneering initiative paves the way for future developments in sustainable healthcare infrastructure, benefiting local people and the planet.

Services provided at Barnsley CDC include:

·        Ultrasounds (apart from maternity)

·        X-Rays

·        Breast Screening (apart from maternity)

·        Phlebotomy (blood tests)

·       Bone density scans (often used to rule out or confirm osteoporosis – having brittle and weak bones)

• ¹Professor Sir Mike Richards was commissioned to undertake a review of NHS diagnostics capacity (NHS Long Term Plan). The independent report, Diagnostics: Recovery and Renewal, recommended the need for a new diagnostics model, where more facilities are created in free-standing locations away from main hospital sites, including on the high street and in retail locations, providing quicker and easier access to tests to a range of tests on the same day, supporting earlier diagnosis, greater convenience to patients and the drive to reduce health inequalities.
• ²Patients attending Barnsley CDC require a confirmed appointment following referral by their GP or other clinician, or a screening invitation letter.