A diagnostic centre which has performed 200,000 tests since opening just two years ago was celebrated at an event at Hermitage Court in Maidstone today.

The West Kent Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), part of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) opened its first building – now known as the Franklin Unit – in 2023. The Hounsfield Unit followed, opening its doors to patients earlier this year.

By operating outside busy hospital settings, community diagnostic centres reduce waiting times, speed up diagnoses, alleviate patient anxiety and enable quicker treatment starts.

CDCs enhance capacity and support the Government’s 10-year plan for the NHS which prioritises moving care into the community.

The CDC at Hermitage Court, close to Maidstone Hospital, delivers CT, MRI, DEXA, X-ray, ultrasound, phlebotomy, and respiratory and cardiology diagnostics, and sees around 149,000 patients a year, ranking it among the top ten in England for test volume.

The Hounsfield Unit

Almost 98% of patients rate the service at the CDC as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’, with many mentioning the speed of service, helpful staff and modern facilities in their feedback.

Both units have been named after pioneers in diagnostic imaging:

The Franklin Unit has been named in honour of Dr Rosalind Franklin, a British chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose pioneering work revealed the helical structure of DNA. Despite her essential contributions, Franklin’s role was under-recognised during her lifetime but her work remains a cornerstone of molecular biology.

The Hounsfield Unit has been named after Godfrey Hounsfield, a British electrical engineer who was awarded a Nobel Prize for his part in developing the CT scan. This innovation transformed diagnostics and his CT scanner remains a critical tool in modern healthcare.

The Franklin Unit

Both units were formally opened by Professor Sir Mike Richards CBE MD FRCP, who chairs the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the UK National Screening Committee.

Speaking about the event, Professor Sir Mike Richards said: “I feel deeply privileged to have formally opened the West Kent Community Diagnostic Centre today and to have seen the fantastic work being done in both the Franklin and Hounsfield units. Patients are already benefitting hugely as shown by the patient experience findings.”

Chief Executive, Miles Scott said: “We are delighted to open the Hounsfield Unit and officially name the Franklin Unit. The CDC is making a vital difference to patients needing diagnostic services, ensuring they receive timely results and care.

“The majority of our patients need at least one diagnostic test, and the CDC helps make these more accessible – transforming the way healthcare is delivered and ensuring faster, more convenient care for everyone.”