Tilbury Douglas begins work on new Diagnostic Centre set to revolutionise patient access and speed up life-saving tests in Coventry.
Patients in Coventry are set to benefit from earlier diagnosis of conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, with tests closer to home as work begins on a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Coventry city centre.
The facility will provide convenient access to essential diagnostic services, with patients able to receive multiple tests in a single visit, reducing waiting times and enabling faster treatment.
This week, a ground-breaking ceremony marked the start of works on the multi-million-pound development, which will transform the NHS Paybody Building into a dedicated CDC located on the City of Coventry Health Centre site.
Once complete, the CDC will be open Monday – Friday, reducing the need for patients to travel to hospital for diagnostic tests – ensuring that they are cared for in the most appropriate place.
Opening late 2026, the centre is expected to see about 90,000 patients annually and provide up to 75,000 additional patient tests a year.
Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: “The start of the development of the CDC is a major milestone for healthcare in Coventry, completely transforming the way local communities access tests and scans and receive diagnosis for a range of conditions. It will support communities across the city to live longer, happier lives.
“This activity forms part of our wider commitment to improving health inequalities and ensuring that everyone has easy access to the care they need.
“We’re pleased to be working alongside Tilbury Douglas to deliver the CDC project, and excited to see the positive difference this facility will make.”
David Tighe, Regional Director West Midlands at Tilbury Douglas, the contractor appointed to carry out the development, said: “We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with UHCW NHS Trust and NHS Property Services to deliver this key healthcare facility for Coventry. Our experienced team is focused on ensuring the successful transformation of the existing building into a modern, efficient diagnostic centre. Using our extensive expertise in healthcare construction, we’ll deliver a high-quality, sustainable facility that provides long-term benefits for the NHS and the community it serves.”
The CDC will feature state-of-the-art equipment including MRI and CT scanners, X-ray facilities, ultrasound rooms, respiratory and cardiac diagnostic services, hysteroscopy and capacity to support cancer diagnostic pathways through streamlined services.
Melvin Henry, Regional Capital Programme Manager (Midlands) at NHS Property Services, added: “This ground-breaking ceremony signifies the start of works on a multi-million-pound development which will transform the Paybody building on the City of Coventry Health Centre site into a dedicated Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC).
“NHS Property Services is focused on delivering a better NHS estate that is fit for the future by investing in and refurbishing buildings where our NHS colleagues can deliver excellent patient care.”
The centre will be staffed by a multi-disciplinary team including Radiologists, Radiographers, Sonographers and Healthcare Scientists as well as a team of administrative and support staff who will be offering a seven-day service for some tests.
Completion of the project will also make Coventry University the first higher education institution co-located within an NHS CDC.
As part of this UK-first collaboration, the university will deliver teaching, clinical placements and research alongside University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust to support improved access to life-saving tests and tackle health inequalities.
Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University Group, said: “Our role in the CDC is about creating opportunities that benefit both our students and our community. By combining education, research, and innovation with frontline healthcare, we aim to improve patient outcomes and develop the future NHS workforce. This collaboration will make access to vital tests easier for local people while giving students invaluable hands-on experience.”
The new facility will build on the Trust’s increased activity in diagnostics already underway, including an Endoscopy Unit which opened at the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby, in October 2023. This site has also seen increased ultrasound capacity and availability of CT scans – with these services now being offered during extended hours and weekends – alongside starting respiratory diagnostic testing on site.
At University Hospital, Coventry, the Trust has successfully increased capacity for cardiac tests, including ECHO and Holter monitors, and extended MRI and ultrasound scan services, utilising temporary accommodation at the city centre site to meet the growing demand.
