£25 million NHS diagnostic centre to be built in Bilston as part of major health hub plans

A new £25 million NHS Community Diagnostic Centre is set to be built in Bilston as part of plans for a major health and wellbeing facility.

Wolverhampton Council has secured the funding from NHS England, working alongside The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, the Black Country Integrated Care Board and Walsall Council.

The centre will provide improved access to diagnostic tests and scans for patients across Wolverhampton and Walsall, complementing existing services at New Cross Hospital, Cannock Hospital and Walsall Manor Hospital.

It will form part of a wider health and wellbeing campus on council-owned land next to WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams leisure centre.

Plans for the facility were already well advanced, supported by £20 million in Government funding secured through the council's Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme.

However, the addition of the diagnostic centre will see the proposals expanded to bring together NHS diagnostic services, primary care, family support and leisure facilities on one site.

The aim is to provide residents with easier access to healthcare, early diagnosis, treatment and preventative services, while encouraging physical activity and healthier lifestyles.

The site will also benefit from its proximity to Bilston's bus and tram interchange, as well as planned improvements to surrounding public spaces.

Subject to approval by Wolverhampton Council's cabinet, construction is expected to begin in mid-2027, with the facility scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.

Council leader Stephen Simkins welcomed the funding, describing it as a major boost for Bilston and the wider city.

He said: "To secure this Community Diagnostic Centre is a huge feather in the cap for Bilston and Wolverhampton as a whole. It is testament to the hard work and investment we have put in to deliver a new health and wellbeing campus in this part of the city.

"The inclusion of the CDC means the health and wellbeing campus will act as an anchor, transforming primary and community services and improving health outcomes for residents in Wolverhampton and Walsall.

"The feedback we have had from stakeholders, including residents, has been hugely positive and their input has been invaluable in developing plans for what will be an important community asset.

"We also want our traditional local centres to flourish, and this scheme builds substantially on the investment already made in Bilston in recent years."

Joe Chadwick-Bell, group chief executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said the development would help patients receive diagnoses and treatment more quickly.

He said: "We are delighted the new Community Diagnostic Centre is closer towards becoming a reality, bringing high-quality diagnostic services closer to our patients and improving access to tests and scans across Wolverhampton and Walsall.

"By working together with our partners, we are creating a modern health and wellbeing facility that will make it easier for people to access the timely care they need.

"Earlier diagnosis can make a significant difference to health outcomes, and this investment will help ensure more people are diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.

"This is an exciting development for our communities and a major step forward in our shared ambition to reduce health inequalities, improve patient experience and support people to live healthier lives."