Colleagues from PAHT and local health and care partners visited the CDC for a special topping out ceremony on 6 June to mark the occasion.

Thom Lafferty, chief executive at PAHT, said: ‘Thank you to everyone who joined us for the ceremony at this pivotal moment as our CDC really starts to take shape.

‘It was an excellent opportunity to focus on the fantastic benefits that the CDC will bring for our patients and the asset this will be for our community.

‘We are proud to work with our partners on further integrating care for our community and responding to local population health need, with quicker and more local access to diagnostic tests for our patients.'

There will be extended opening times and additional equipment at the CDC to support the current additional capacity being provided for MRI scans, X-rays and non-obstetric ultrasounds.

The CDC building is due for completion in December 2025, with the first patient planned for January 2026.