A new phase in local healthcare began this week with the opening of the Yeovil diagnostic centre services facility beside Yeovil District Hospital. The building is operated by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with InHealth. It will welcome its first patients on Wednesday 21 January.
The centre is designed to deliver more than 70,000 tests and outpatient appointments each year. It will serve residents of Yeovil, North Dorset and neighbouring communities. The aim is to bring more investigations closer to home.
The project follows earlier investment in the county. A similar unit opened in Taunton in 2021. Work continues on the Bridgwater Diagnostic Centre, which is expected to open later in 2026.
Health leaders describe the Yeovil diagnostic centre services programme as part of a wider plan to expand capacity outside acute hospital buildings. Appointments will be available seven days a week. The model is intended to ease pressure on busy wards.
Mr Jonathan Ockrim, a consultant colorectal surgeon and Somerset FT’s clinical lead for the Yeovil Diagnostic Centre, said: “The opening of our new diagnostic centre this week is fantastic news for people in Yeovil, North Dorset and the surrounding area. This is the latest in a series of major healthcare developments underway at Yeovil Hospital and in the community, and it’s excellent news to see such continued investment in our local services. The development of the new centre is very much in line with the government’s aim of expanding diagnostic services, which are separate from the acute hospital. The modern, state-of-the-art centre will further enhance patient experience, and will help reduce waiting times for a range of core services, ultimately meaning a much improved service for our patients.”
Clinicians expect the additional space to make a clear difference. Dr Cenydd Thomas, a consultant radiologist at Yeovil Hospital, added: “Having a modern, purpose-built diagnostic centre right next to the hospital – open seven days a week – will bring significant benefits for our patients. The extra capacity means they’ll be able to access the tests they need far more quickly.”
Technology has been upgraded throughout the building. “Our colleagues are also really excited that they’ll be able to use the latest, state-of-the-art equipment in the centre,” Cen continued. “It’ll mean the diagnostic images will be clearer than we’ve ever seen before”.
The upstairs area is managed by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. It includes audiology diagnostic and rehabilitative services for adults and children. Specialist soundproof rooms have been installed.
An ear, nose and throat unit will work alongside audiology teams. Respiratory diagnostics will also be based there. A new cardiology department will provide outpatient and investigative clinics.
On the ground floor InHealth will run endoscopy and imaging services. These include MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound on behalf of the NHS. The company is described as the UK’s largest specialist provider of diagnostic and healthcare solutions.
Geoff Searle, InHealth’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re proud to have worked in partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to provide key clinical services to the local population through this new centre. Across our nationwide network of CDCs, we’ve seen the real difference and positive impact that centres like these can bring for patients, focussed on improving health outcomes, so it’s fantastic to be doing that here in Yeovil. There has been a huge amount of hard work and dedication from all the teams involved to get us to this point, so a huge thank you to everyone involved and who worked tirelessly to ensure that this centre became a reality.”
The scheme was developed by Prime plc through its Strategic Estates Partnership with Somerset FT. It was constructed by Darwin Group with investment from M&G. The partners say the design allows for future growth.
Dr Trevor Smith, NHS England’s Medical Director for the South West, said: “It’s good to see our South West-wide procurement coming to fruition, to make access easier and reduce waiting times. This should make a real difference for local patients.”
Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth said: “The NHS should fit around patients’ lives, not the other way around, and that’s why this new facility is such good news for people in Yeovil, North Dorset and the surrounding area. By providing scans, tests and checks closer to where people live, Community Diagnostic Centres help patients get answers faster. That means quicker diagnosis, quicker treatment decisions, and less time spent waiting and worrying. Investing in new centres like this is part of the government’s plan to waiting times and build an NHS fit for the future.”
Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil, said: “This new diagnostics centre at Yeovil Hospital is a fantastic facility for local people and a real step forward for our community. Faster and easier access to scans and tests will make a huge difference for patients, helping people get answers sooner and start treatment more quickly. It will also take pressure off other parts of the NHS and improve care across our area. This shows what can be achieved when we invest properly in local health services. I’m really pleased to see this centre open, and I want to thank all the NHS staff and everyone involved for the work they do every day for patients in Yeovil and the surrounding area.”
NHS England South West created a partnership with InHealth in 2023. The aim was to provide extra diagnostic capacity across the region. Scans and tests were first offered through mobile units.
Yeovil is the fourth site to open. Others are in Bristol, Weston-super-Mare and Torbay. A final centre at Redruth is due to go live this year.
Supporters believe the Yeovil diagnostic centre services model will become a routine part of care. They say it will help patients receive answers sooner. The focus remains on faster diagnosis and better experience.
