Broad Street Community Diagnostic Centre: Integrating Essential Healthcare
The Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in the Broad Street Plaza, Halifax exemplifies a commitment to integrating essential healthcare services within the community fabric. The development is intended to bring care closer to home, offering a single point of access for a variety of diagnostic tests and reducing the need for extended hospital visits, representing a significant step forward in providing accessible and efficient diagnostic services to the local community.
Project Specifications
The following table outlines the key details of the development:
| Location | Halifax, UK |
| Sectors | Healthcare & Education |
| Services | Architecture, Interior Design |
| Status | Completed |
Design Vision and Environment
A primary goal was creating a natural 'spa' environment within the constraints of healthcare requirements. The vision for the project was realized through a series of design workshops with key stakeholders, which identified specific feature areas for refined design focus. The project focused on key areas, including the main CT and ground floor X-ray rooms, as well as the double-height waiting room. Additionally, a new reception was designed at the front of the existing NHS unit to enhance capacity and revitalize the outdated reception space.
Fast-Tracked Delivery and Collaboration
To meet a very tight delivery schedule and funding requirements, various modern construction methods were explored. A preferred layout was swiftly established, enabling the entire scheme to be designed and delivered within 12 months. The fast-tracked design process involved multiple layout options to ensure an efficient clinical pathway for patients while maintaining usable spaces for staff. This development was a collaborative effort with key stakeholders, including teams from infection control, fire safety, IT services, estates, and lead clinical departments from diagnostics.
Tom Donaghey, Head of Estates at Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions, stated: "AFL were tasked with designing a modern, state of the art building with a comforting feel to put our patients at ease. They have more than achieved this scope of work."
Site Challenges and Integration
The project required a complex fit-out of an existing space within a larger commercial and retail center. This location, situated on a sloped site, featured full-height glazing on the hypotenuse, providing natural light but only facing a main road. The challenge was to integrate essential services into a building already housing a cinema, dentist, physiotherapy unit, sexual health clinic, fertility clinic, gym, restaurant, pizzeria, and pub. Additionally, a connection to an existing NHS facility was required to create the new CDC entrance, while preserving access for other NHS services.