#WeAreTotallyStoked – Community Health Champions

Champions give CDC clean bill of health

vast — Tue, 05 May 2026 08:11:17 +0000

Champions give new diagnostic centre clean bill of health

Community Health Champions were invited to take a look around Stoke-on-Trent’s newest health facility in its opening week.

The Community Diagnostic Centre has opened on the site of the former Sainsbury’s in Hanley, marking a significant milestone in improving local access to vital diagnostic tests and scans.

The multi‑million‑pound facility aims to reduce waiting times and ease pressure on local hospitals.

Services available at the Stoke‑on‑Trent Community Diagnostic Centre include CT, MRI, X‑rays, ultrasound, blood tests, and physiological sciences, such as cardiology, respiratory and sleep testing. The centre will be open seven days a week, 12 hours a day, and will provide up to 180,000 tests and scans each year.

Community Health Champions were consulted at the outset on what they wanted to see from the development and this week they received a tour of the new centre. Architects also worked with Staffordshire Sightloss, Alzheimers UK and people in motorised wheelchairs to design the facility.

Maurice Greenham from Older LBGT+ said: “I’m very impressed. It’s spacious, dementia friendly and from what I can see, it’s easy to get around and all on one level. They’ve really thought about the flow.”

Carol Williams from Birches Head Get Growing said: “It’s amazing. It feels patient-friendly and like they’ve thought it through.”

Jean Spkyerman from Carelink praised the free parking for staff and visitors. She added: “It’s easy to find your way around and the murals and glass artwork on the walls is really nice for local people. The only thing it might be missing is a café!”

Two local artists have created bespoke pieces for the CDC inspired by the colours and design for the building which is inspired by Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery industry.

Esme Talbot who creates artwork as Scruffy Little Herbert has created murals – one as part of the entrance and two within recovery areas. Rebecca Davis from Grayswood Glass has created six bespoke glass artworks from vintage and reclaimed glass to chart the seasons and bring nature and windows into the corridors.

Champion John Capewell said: “It’s very impressive and I like it a lot. Hopefully it all works like it’s supposed to.”

CHC Project Officer Zi Khumalo: “This was an important visit for our Champions who were involved in the consultation process. It’s important that they can see for themselves and on behalf of the communities they represent that their views are considered when it comes to designing such an important facility.”

Dr Simon Constable, UHNM Chief Executive, said: “This is about making it easier for people to get the tests they need more quickly and more conveniently. It means earlier diagnosis, quicker access to treatment and a better overall experience for our patients, while also helping to reduce pressure on our hospital sites.”

The Stoke‑on‑Trent Community Diagnostic Centre is part of the NHS’s wider commitment to transforming diagnostic services by delivering care in community settings, making it easier for people to attend appointments and receive timely results.

Ways to contact your GP

vast — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:20:39 +0000

GP practices are often the first-place people go for health advice or treatment but it’s not always easy to get an appointment when you need one.

The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has launched a local campaign to help people understand the different ways they can contact their GP practice and get the right help more quickly.

By promoting use of digital options, the campaign aims to encourage people to make contact digitally reducing pressure on phone lines, ease the 8am rush for appointments, and make access to care simpler and more convenient for patients.

NHS App – a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and information on your smartphone or tablet. You can order repeat prescriptions, access appointment information or manage your hospital appointments.
Online Consultation – you can contact your GP practice to request help with admin tasks, ask about a medical problem or medication or access trusted NHS health advice.
GP online services – this service lets you request medical help or an appointment once you have been triaged by the team, order repeat prescriptions or view your GP medical record.

Healthy appetite for Poems, Pies and Pals

vast — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:12:00 +0000

Healthy appetite for Poems, Pies and Pals

Those who attended Poems, Pies and Pals at the Dudson Centre recently have praised the “sense of community” they experienced.

The event was sparked by a call from the Ageing Well Partnership for community events to help tackle loneliness and isolation in Stoke-on-Trent.

After discussing ideas, this collaborative event featured micro-volunteering, a delicious hot meal, and a performance by Stoke-on-Trent Centenary Poet Laureate Nick Degg – all supported by the Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire and Beth Johnson Foundation.

More than 30 people came along and joined in with the micro-volunteering activity – wrapping more than 100 Christmas gifts for older people living in the local community which are being distributed through our Welcoming Spaces network.

Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive and even inspiring some to share their own poetry.

“We usually live in very insular circles, so it’s great to be part of something different”,

“helping in this way makes me feel like I am giving something back”,

“people were very welcoming, chatty, the space was warm and social”,

“there was inclusion and happy, smiling faces and people working together”,

“loved every minute”.

Natalie Hawkins, Support and Volunteering Projects Manager at VAST, said: “We were delighted with how the event ran and it was a great introduction to micro-volunteering and what can be achieved when everybody pulls together.”

“We think this paves the way for similar events in future as there is clearly an appetite for events where people are empowered to share something of themselves with others.”

To find out more about volunteering in Stoke-on-Trent, get in touch on 01782 683030 or email volunteering@vast.org.uk.

#WeAreTotallyStoked – Community Health Champions

Champions give CDC clean bill of health

Champions give new diagnostic centre clean bill of health

Ways to contact your GP

Ways to contact your GP and beat the 8am rush

News Tags

Healthy appetite for Poems, Pies and Pals

Healthy appetite for Poems, Pies and Pals