Duke and Duchess of Devonshire open Whitworth CDC

Whitworth Hospital’s community diagnostic centre was formally opened by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at the end of June. More than one million people living in Derbyshire will have access to five CDCs by 2025, as part of a national £2.3 billion investment to reduce waiting times and provide care in communities. The CDC has already seen more than 7,000 patients since its phased launch in February.

In addition to national funding, the development was aided by donations from Matlock Hospitals League of Friends, supporting the expansion of a purpose-built diagnostic corridor and adjoining diagnostic rooms. The CDC is a partnership between Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Derbyshire Com-munity Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Whitworth Hospital site.

The Duke and Duchess were joined by NHS staff from both trusts who led a tour around the development, including visits to ultrasound, x-ray and phlebotomy rooms.

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust urgent care and specialist services clinical lead Melissa Dalton said: “It is very special to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire to Whitworth Hospital to officially open this community diagnostic centre. It also enables us to give special thanks and recognition to Matlock Hospitals League of Friends, who have donated more than £140,000 to develop the diagnostic facilities at Whitworth Hospital.” The additional CDCs are expected to reach full diagnostic and clinical capacity over the next two years at Walton Hospital, Chesterfield; Ilkeston Community Hospital; Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital, Tamworth; and Florence Nightingale Community Hospital, Derby.

Lead picture: Lead sonographer Matthew Beardshall shows the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire an ultrasound system.

Published on page 4 of the August 2023 issue of RAD Magazine.