£18m boost for Nightingale Hospital Exeter promises faster scans and improved patient care

The Nightingale Hospital Exeter is set to play an expanded role in tackling NHS waiting times in Devon after the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust secured £18 million in national funding to grow its Community Diagnostic Centre.

The funding, provided by the Department of Health and Social Care, comes as demand for diagnostic tests continues to rise across the NHS, with scans often a key factor in how quickly patients can be diagnosed and begin treatment. 

Health leaders say delays in diagnostics can create bottlenecks across the system, particularly for cancer, heart and neurological conditions.

The investment will fund a larger, purpose-built diagnostic hub at the Nightingale Hospital site, replacing temporary modular units with permanent facilities. 

By bringing more services together in one place, the trust aims to improve efficiency and increase the number of patients who can be seen each day.

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Under the expansion plans, the centre will install three MRI scanners and three CT scanners, including a state-of-the-art Photon Counting CT scanner. 

The additional capacity is expected to significantly reduce waiting times for scans across Exeter and the wider Devon area, helping patients avoid lengthy waits at acute hospital sites such as the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in Wonford.

Advanced digital technology will also be introduced, including Deep Resolve software, which allows MRI scans to be carried out more quickly while maintaining high-quality imaging. 

This is expected to reduce appointment times and improve patient flow through the centre.

Alongside clinical improvements, patients will see upgraded reception and waiting areas, better accessibility and improved support spaces designed to make attending appointments easier and more comfortable.

Chris Tidman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Royal Devon, said the funding represented a major step forward for local healthcare. 

He said: “This funding marks a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering world-class diagnostic services for the people of Devon.” 

“By expanding the CDC, we will improve access, efficiency, and patient experience, ensuring our community receives the best possible care.”

John Finn, Acting Chief Operating Officer at NHS Devon, said the expansion would help the health system respond to growing pressures. 

He said: “The CDC expansion will help us meet rising demand for diagnostics, reduce waiting times, and support the health and wellbeing of our population. We are proud to support this vital investment.”

Community Diagnostic Centres were introduced nationally to shift scans and tests away from busy acute hospitals, allowing patients to access appointments more quickly and closer to home. 

The Nightingale Hospital Exeter site has become a key part of that approach in Devon, helping to reduce pressure on hospital wards and emergency departments.

The trust says the new facilities will be built to meet NHS sustainability standards, improving energy efficiency while supporting long-term service delivery. 

The expansion forms part of a wider programme of more than £80 million of investment across Devon’s NHS estate over the next two to three years, aimed at modernising facilities and improving patient care.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which was formed in 2022, provides healthcare to more than 615,000 people across Devon and is one of the county’s largest employers.