Cannock’s CDC scans its first patients

Date of release: 19 March 2024

History was made today as the first patients were scanned in the new £15m Radiology facility at Cannock’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) – and the proud verdict was: "It’s beautiful".

From left: Kelly Taylor, Imaging Assistant, Lucy Willcox, Head of Operational Radiology, Glen Whitehouse, Group Manager: Diagnostic Services, patient Diane Lee, Sam Abbott, Superintendent Radiographer, Stacey Aulton-Birch, CT Advanced Practitioner, Leonard Gonzales, Senior CT Radiographer, and Paula Reed, Imaging Assistant

The purpose-built-modular building hosting the first of four state-of-the-art scanners – two CT and two MRI – costing around £1m each, is now available at the CDC at Cannock Chase Hospital, part of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).

The new facility will take around 30,000 images per year and will employ 70 new staff, with 100 patients a week being scanned – which will increase.

Patients in Cannock and South Staffordshire, as well as Wolverhampton and Walsall, will use the facility, easing the burden on New Cross Hospital and Walsall Manor Hospital.

Diane Lee, 60, from nearby Hazel Slade, was the first to be surveyed when she underwent a CT scan on her kidneys and bladder because of pressure on her bladder.

The retired Personal Assistant was thrilled to be the town’s first patient.

“It’s great for the local community,” said mum of three Diane, also a grandmother to five-year-old twin boys.

“The treatment was excellent – first class. The staff were so friendly and made me feel really comfortable and relaxed.

Manisha Chandlar, Deputy Superintendent – CT, patient Deborah Mercer, Sarah Brown, MRI/NI Superintendent Radiographer, and Jane Crutchley, CT Advanced Practitioner

“I’d felt quite uptight because of having an injection but they reassured me I’d be all right.

“The surroundings helped too because it’s so nice – it’s a beautiful facility and it was relaxing from start to finish.”

Mum of grown-up twin daughters Deborah Mercer, 54, from Ashmore Park, was one of the next under the CT when she had her aortic valve replacement looked at.

Glen Whitehouse, Group Manager: Diagnostic Services at RWT, was excited to welcome the first patients, adding: “It was incredibly rewarding for the team to see all their ideas and efforts behind the CDC come to life as they start scanning on the first Trust-run CT scanner in Cannock.

“The unit will now gradually start seeing increasing number of patients as the two MRI and second CT scanner become operational over the coming weeks, and the site moves to 12-hour days, seven days per week.”

Manisha Chandlar, Deputy Superintendent Radiographer (CT), was one of two staff to scan Diane, with colleague Stacey Aulton-Birch, Advanced Practitioner in CT.

She said: “I’ve had a lot of exciting opportunities in my career so far, but to be able to scan the very first patient in a state-of-the art facility has to be one of the best!”

The integration of the Canon Aquilion Prime SP CT scanners and Medrad Centargo injector systems – which puts the dye into patients – ensure faster and more precise imaging.

Designed and delivered by Health Spaces Limited, the project was under construction from May 2023.

ENDS

• For further information, please call Tim Nash on 07714 741097 or email tim.nash2@nhs.net