Ealing CDC

The Ealing Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is a pioneering NHS initiative designed to expand diagnostic capabilities outside of main acute services, addressing the urgent need for improved access to diagnostic imaging.

The trust required an independent facility with its own entrance adjacent to the main hospital. Designed for outpatient use the centre also supports the main hospital with additional capacity.

This facility aimed to alleviate wait times for essential services and enhance the overall healthcare experience for patients and staff.

The expansion of the CDC incorporated a range of imaging services including two CT scanners, general X-ray, DEXA, Ultrasound, and two MRI scanners re located from the main hospital. This large scale CDC offers additional services such as an Echocardiogram suite.

Intuitive wayfinding was created using colour; the patient waiting and changing areas were colour-blocked to correspond to their respective departments. Additionally, the graphic art on the glazing was developed with users by scanning inanimate objects such as fruits and flowers, as well as musical and electrical instruments. This positive collaborative experience achieved our goal of creating calm and playful waiting areas. 

The involvement of staff and other key stakeholders was crucial throughout the design process. We organised collaborative workshops where users could express their needs and preferences, for example, workflows, wayfinding, and patient privacy. This feedback directly influenced design decisions, from the layout of clinical spaces to the selection of materials, ensuring the final design reflects the voices of those who will use the facility.

During Stage 5, due to uncertainty in the construction industry, the cost of materials increased, and many were unavailable. A value engineering process had to be brought in urgently to respond to this challenge.