Manchester and Trafford Community Diagnostic Centre

The challenge: transforming great design into a practical reality

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) wanted to invest in a new community diagnostic centre, as part of NHS England’s radical programme to overhaul the way that testing and diagnosis services are delivered for patients.

The new CDC was built in the grounds of the Withington Hospital: a busy community healthcare facility. The challenging site was close to the existing hospital buildings, as well as neighbourhood housing and local schools. So disruption from noise, dust and deliveries needed to be kept to a minimum.

The building also had to deliver on tight sustainability targets, including NHS Net Zero commitments. Accessibility and flexibility to adapt to ever-evolving clinical needs had to be designed and built in.

The aesthetics of the building were equally important. High quality finishes and great use of natural light would help to make the CDC feel more like a private health clinic than a standard NHS facility.

But all this had to be delivered within a tight cost envelope. 

The BAM solution: innovation, driven by pragmatism

Transparency and collaboration were key on this project. Well before construction started in early 2025, BAM worked closely with the client to fully understand their clinical requirements, operational constraints and long-term aspirations.

Early engagement drove design development and cost planning. Through careful re-engineering of key elements, BAM delivered the functionality MFT wanted and ensured the project delivered real value for patients without compromising quality, aesthetics or performance.

BAM put forward a range of innovative solutions to achieve this. For instance, using repeatable, modular floor zones with coordinated window and door positions, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services and steel-frame structure to enable future adaptations.

The initial design for the CDC featured a distinctive brick façade with extensive glass areas. However, the cost to deliver this was proving to be a stumbling block. So BAM used an innovative brick-slip system for the building fabric. This maintained the look and feel of the original design without compromising costs, because much less primary steel was needed to support large spans of brickwork in the two-storey wrap-around glazed corner section and other core locations.

Enhanced digital support was also important, including a BAM-led workshop to share the P23 Digital Twin Playbook for Health platform with the client’s team. As a result, MFT is exploring how it might use the platform more widely use across the Trust.

The result: lasting value and community impact

The project was delivered on budget and two days ahead of schedule.

More than a vital resource to speed up diagnosis and improve health outcomes, the new CDC has been embedded in its community from the start, with deep local involvement building a sense of ownership and belonging that transcends the building’s practical role as a health facility.

Delivering measurable and lasting social value was central to this project. Over 65% of the total project spend was with local businesses, mainly SMEs and micro-enterprises, and more than half of the workforce were classed as local. 

BAM supported local schools and colleges with work placements and careers insights, as well as delivering over 108 apprentice weeks on site. 
When it comes to long-term community impact, BAM and its supply chain joined forces to support several local projects.

The teams provided volunteer labour and materials worth over £18,000 to develop a community co-working space at Withington Public Hall and created an accessible entrance at Withington Community Baths. BAM also donated a cabin to the Working Wardrobe project delivered by Groundwork: a charity that helps people needing additional support to enter the jobs market.

Earlier diagnosis is key to effective treatment for many conditions, including cancer. By making diagnostic tests more accessible, MTCDC will help reduce waiting times, shift care closer to home and play an important role in improving access to healthcare and patient outcomes.