Update: This matter was not dcided on Thursday evening as news of the death of Cllr Luke Mackenzie meant the meeting was adjourned. It will reconvene on 20 March.

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Proposals for a new Community Diagnostic Centre in Pitsea will be discussed at a meeting of Basildon Council's Cabinet this evening (Thursday, 14 March) when the council will consider increasing its financial contribution to the project by £800,000.

The council has already agreed to contribute £2.6m to the transformation of 'The Place', a multi-purpose facility housing Pitsea Library and activity space run by the council, to a new centre including the diagnostic service run by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

The work was granted planning permission at Basildon Council's planning committee on Wednesday, 7 February.

The proposed new centre will be developed by the health trust, with the aim of reducing waiting times for diagnostic tests including scanning and imaging facilities.

It will be a centre for the whole of the region, with patients attending from across the Trust area, which includes Chelmsford, Southend and Thurrock. In particular it will house a regional eight room endoscopy unit, meaning that services such as the mobile one currently in operation at Orsett Hospital can be withdrawn.

The centre will also be home to a redesigned library and community spaces managed by Basildon Council.  

Cllr Jeff Henry, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, Leisure, Arts and Culture, said: "The new Community Diagnostic Centre will bring a wealth of benefits to people in Pitsea. Faster diagnosis will reduce waiting times and ease uncertainty for local patients. The centre itself will bring increased footfall to Pitsea and surrounding areas, as well as a much-needed boost to the local economy. 

"This exciting project will also provide brand-new facilities such as a redesigned library and spaces for activities. I look forward to reviewing the proposals at Cabinet next week."  

Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are pleased to be working alongside our council colleagues to bring a Community Diagnostic Centre to Pitsea. The new centre will provide much needed additional capacity, which means the patients will be seen more quickly and have access to tests and scans closer to home."