PATIENTS seeking medical treatment in Weston are to benefit from reduced waiting times, Mary Stoppard writes.

This is thanks to the recent announcement that a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is set to open next year.

Initially the CDC will operate from mobile facilities based at the Healthy Living Centre on the Bournville Estate, before the opening of a purpose-built facility.

Local MP John Penrose explained that the new centre would make a real difference to local people by reducing waiting times, which escalated during the pandemic.

He went on to say that fast diagnosis is reassuring to patients, enabling treatment to start much sooner and thus save lives.

John Penrose has welcomed news that Weston Hospital will also receive £4.9M of Government funds to provide a new Stroke Rehabilitation Centre.

The Rehabilitation Centre is expected to increase capacity and enable the hospital to treat more patients for a wider variety of illnesses. It should also free up 12 much needed beds to reduce pressure.

John is in favour of the opportunity for local stroke patients to get “the all-important rehabilitation they need” much closer to home.

He went on to say that this further recent investment to expand local healthcare provision “makes huge sense for a growing town like Weston."