Trust steps in to save Taunton diagnostic centre
In a statement to The Leveller this morning (10 June) Somerset NHS Trust (“Trust”) confirmed it will take over the Taunton cancer diagnostic centre. The future of the centre was thrown into doubt on Monday when Rutherford plc collapsed into liquidation. Rutherford launched the Taunton cancer diagnostic centre in partnership with the Trust in September 2021.
Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust explains: “I am very pleased to confirm that Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is stepping in to run the community diagnostic centre in Taunton on a short-term basis from this Friday, 10 June. This means that NHS patients in Somerset will continue to have diagnostic tests at the centre. We will continue to reduce patient waiting times for diagnostic tests.“
The logistics for now are straightforward. The centre, now named the Taunton Diagnostic Centre, will be closed on today (10 June) and Monday 13 June. The Trust will reopen it on Tuesday 14 June. The Trust will contact patients due to be seen at the centre on those days. Patients are asked to continue to attend appointments unless you hear directly from the Trust.
Mr Lewis added: “I am delighted that the centre will remain open and I thank colleagues at the centre, Trust colleagues and those in the wider NHS who have worked to make this happen so quickly with only a few days’ interrupted service for our patients.”