Work is continuing to build a new community diagnostic centre which will give people rapid access to tests, checks and scans.
The centre on Stockton High Street will help speed up the diagnosis of any health problems and guide follow up treatment.
Less than 12 months after building works started, significant progress has been made including the completion of the building’s foundations and steel structures.
Works are also well underway on key infrastructure including concrete, drainage, electrical mechanical work and cladding.
The Tees Valley facility will be run by health workers in areas including radiology, cardiology, respiratory and phlebotomy – who will help test for issues including cancers, lung disease and heart disease.
It will be run by University Hospitals Tees, the health group formed of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
During a visit to the centre on Friday, group chief executive Stacey Hunter said: “This centre is part of our ambition to offer our community the very best in healthcare.
“There is a real need for it with the real health inequalities our community faces.
“Since the very beginning, everyone involved has been fully committed to this project and the need to work together for the good of our patients.
“The centre will sit right in the middle of the community we serve across the Tees Valley, meaning it is accessible to all.
And, more importantly, it will provide a first class environment for people to have quick tests, checks and scans for an issue they may have.”
Contractor Kier are expected to complete works over the coming months – in what will be the first phase of a wider transformation of the waterfront led by Stockton Borough Council, which will include an urban park for community events.
The site will provide a number of diagnostic functions including MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasound scans, cardiology, x-rays, blood tests and respiratory checks.
Phil Woolfall, clinical director for radiology at North Tees and Hartlepool, added during the visit last week: “This site future-proofs us for years to come.
Our teams are very enthusiastic about working here too, with the modern facilities, equipment and fantastic environment it offers. It is also something we know will help attract the very best staff from across the region and beyond to join us.
“We have asked staff how they would like it to look and they have told us. This facility will be something our patients are going to be receiving outstanding care from outside of the hospital setting.”
Matt Vickers, MP for Stockton West who also attended the diagnostic centre visit, said: “It’s great to see this game changing NHS facility being delivered for our area.
“There was huge amount of campaigning and negotiation that went in to bringing this to Stockton and it’s amazing to see the ambition become a reality. I’d like to thank all those who signed our petition and everyone who got involved to ensure we had a strong and successful bid.