LOCAL patients will be able to access some medical services at a Tameside retail park when a new centre opens this week.
The new South East Manchester Community Diagnostic Centre opens its doors at the beginning of August at Crown Point North Shopping Park in Denton.
The centre will offer high-tech scanning, heart tests and other diagnostic services, with the aim of helping to detect a range of conditions quicker.

Patients from Tameside, Stockport and the High Peak will only be able to access these services by a referral from a clinician.
The centre has been developed alongside Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with InHealth, the UK’s largest specialist provider of diagnostic solutions.
The firm, based in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, applied to Tameside Council back in January to merge the former O2 and Tui Holiday Superstore units at Crown Point into the new facility, saying it would create at least 25 new jobs.
Approval was subsequently granted, with planning documents stating that the development “will support the vitality and viability of Denton town centre by diversifying the services contained within the shopping park, bringing back into use two vacant units, generating new employment opportunities, and providing an accessible community health service.”
They added: “The Community Diagnostics Centre will benefit the local community by providing improved access to healthcare facilities and by supporting NHS Trusts in easing patient referrals.”
The centre will be the second of its kind in Greater Manchester to be based in a retail location. It is set to be open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.
A shopping centre isn’t really the appropriate place for it. It’s not exactly an entertaining day out. I could understand the reasoning if it offered walk ins for prostate scans, cervical cancer , HIV tests or something similar, but the article says a referral is required. Something is very wrong when prime retail space has to be filled by the NHS. This kind of service should be at the hospital grounds.
I can think of many better uses for the premises, but 25 more jobs is a plus point.
If you want to advertise the importance of getting an early detection, rent some billboards or get on social media.