Today marked an important step for Pitsea with a breaking ground ceremony on a building which will be home to a brand-new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), activity space and library. The event was celebrated by councillors, the MP and community representatives.
Due to open in spring 2027 the modern two-storey facility will be the largest of its kind in the region – home to an eight-room endoscopy unit alongside state-of-the-art CT and MRI scanning facilities. Once complete, it will deliver faster diagnoses, earlier detection, and better health outcomes for thousands of local people.
The new centre will also return the older people’s activity centre to the heart of Pitsea town centre, while providing a dedicated space for community groups. It will include a new library for everyone to use and enjoy.
The Pitsea Community Diagnostic Centre will provide around 120,000 additional scans and appointments each year, making it easier for people to access vital tests, reduce waiting times, speed up results and support faster treatment.
This centre marks an important step in bringing care closer to home. We’re already seeing the benefits of our Thurrock centre, and we look forward to delivering the same positive impact in Pitsea.
James Currell, Acting Divisional Director for Clinical and Support Services at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
It’s great to see real progress being made on the Pitsea Community Diagnostic Centre, which will be the largest of its kind in south Essex. By bringing tests and scans closer to home, this centre really will help people get appointments sooner, leading to earlier diagnosis and better health outcomes for the local community. When it opens in 2027, it will be a major asset for Pitsea and the wider Basildon area, and it will play an important role in improving local health services across Essex.
James McMurdock, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, welcomed the development
The opening of this new centre represents a major step forward for Pitsea’s regeneration and for the wellbeing of local residents. This modern, two-storey community hub will bring together vital services under one roof — providing a high-quality library and flexible spaces for community groups and local organisations. Together, these facilities will create a vibrant, inclusive space that supports learning, social connection, and a stronger, more resilient community for years to come.
Cllr Jack Ferguson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport, Children & Young People
By bringing state-of-the-art diagnostic services closer to home, we are making it quicker and easier for people to access the tests they need – leading to faster diagnoses and better outcomes for thousands across Pitsea and beyond. The return of the older people’s activity centre to the heart of Pitsea will also be a major boost for the community, providing a welcoming, social space that supports wellbeing, encourages active lifestyles, and helps reduce loneliness among older residents.
Cllr Melissa McGeorge, Cabinet Member for Ageing Population & Health
The range of services offered by the new Community Diagnostic Centre, from MRI scans and endoscopies to x-rays and phlebotomy, will make a real difference for those waiting for treatment. We look forward to the works progressing.
Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health and Integration at Essex County Council
Pitsea Library and The Place will transform into an exciting new community hub to accommodate the diagnostic centre. Library services will continue to be provided at the neighbouring Vange Library.
Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture at Essex County Council
Pitsea CDC forms part of a national initiative to expand diagnostic capacity and bring services closer to home. Thurrock CDC opened in September, with two other centres currently in development in Southend and Braintree.