The two-storey CDC will be the largest of its kind in mid and south Essex and will provide over 130,000 extra checks each year.

Michael Thorpe, portfolio director at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘Bringing all the services together makes it more convenient for the community to get everything they need in one place. And with Pitsea being the largest of our four diagnostic centres, it means we'll be able to see more patients in our brand-new endoscopy, CT and MRI services.

‘By helping patients receive essential tests more quickly and closer to home, our CDCs will transform access to diagnostics across the region.'

The Pitsea CDC will include an eight-room endoscopy suite and offer x-rays, CT and MRI scans, and blood tests. It will also provide a range of wellbeing services, including a purpose-built activity centre and a community library.

The project is a collaborative initiative between Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Essex County Council and Basildon Council.