'Historic day' for town healthcare as hub is opened

CENTRE DUE TO CARRY OUT 70,000 TESTS THIS YEAR

- By HANNAH RICHARDSON

A MULTI-million pound Leicestershire healthcare hub is officially open.

The long-awaited community diagnostics centre, at the old Hinckley and District Hospital site, has been described as the "first of its kind in Leicestershire".

The new purpose-built hub will offer patients a "wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home", the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB) said. It will also "ease pressure on our busy hospitals".

Patients will be able to access tests such as CTs, MRIs, X-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests and endoscopies.

The £24.6 million centre is expected to carry out 70,000 tests this year, rising to more than 80,000 in 2026.

The hub was officially opened on Friday and has seen its first patients.