Hill Dickinson advises NHS trust on conversion of former Stoke-on-Trent supermarket site to £42.6m Community Diagnostic Centre

Law firm Hill Dickinson has advised the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) on its plans to convert part of a former Sainsbury’s building into a £42.6 million Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC). 

The site, which is located on a former Sainsbury’s store in Hanley, will have the capacity to deliver 85,000 checks, tests and scans each year alongside providing physiology, pathology and endoscopy diagnostics.

The CDC is one of 160 clinics being opened across England allowing patients access to tests and scans outside of hospital.

The Hill Dickinson team advising UHNM was led by health real estate partner Andrea Proudlock, assisted by associates Isabel Saunders (construction), Alanna McCabe (health real estate) and partner David Oram (construction).

Andrea Proudlock commented: “It’s been both exciting and rewarding to act as legal advisors to UHNM on such a strategically important transaction for the improvement of the health of the local community. The centre, with its great transport links, will not only be an excellent new health resource for the community but will also regenerate the site and provide local employment opportunities.”

Helen Ashley, director of strategy at UHNM said: “Faster diagnostics is key to diagnosing a range of conditions, including cancer, as early as possible. If a patient needs more than one type of scan, the centre will aim to provide them in one visit to reduce travelling and waiting times for diagnoses.”

With the site unused since January 2022, the news is a major boost for both the health and wellbeing of the area and also for employment opportunities with 180 people expected to work at the new centre.