A new diagnostic centre in Bodmin that will provide tests, scans and checks welcomed its first patients on Friday.

The Bodmin Community Diagnostic Centre is located on the Bodmin Community Hospital site and will deliver a range of services, including CT, MRI and ultrasound scans.

The centre aims to deliver care closer to home, saving trips to bigger hospitals for many patients, and reduce waiting lists.

There were more than 58,000 people on waiting lists in May.

The centre will deliver 120,000 diagnostic tests per year when fully operational.

Emma Spouse, the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) Diagnostic Imaging Lead, said: “RCHT Clinical Imaging are delighted to be providing additional diagnostic imaging services for the local population around Bodmin.

“It will make a real difference for patients to have accessible CT and MRI services in their locality.

“The centre provides a calm, outpatient scanning environment that also alleviates our hard-pressed acute and emergency diagnostic imaging services on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site at Treliske in Truro.

“Digital technology and connectivity ensures that expert advice and opinion is immediately available to the centre’s clinical staff.

“Our thanks go to Professor Sir Mike Richards for his national vision to provide more diagnostic services in local communities where people live, to NHS England for funding this excellent new facility, including the top-of-the-range digital X-ray equipment and a new CT scanner, and to the estates team at Cornwall Partnership Trust who have worked tirelessly with the sub-contractors, our clinical teams and the equipment providers, GE and Philips, to transform the old Bodmin Treatment Centre into a clinical hub that focusses on rapid diagnostics and onward treatment.

“It is a fantastic new facility for patients and for the staff who work here.”