A “ONE-stop shop” medical centre is set to open in Pitsea offering blood tests, heart checks and a host of other services to patients across south Essex.

Services will include endoscopy, blood tests and lung and heart checks, as well as CT, MRI, ultrasound scans and X-ray.

The centre will be a “one-stop shop” for checks, tests and scans, however it will not offer treatment.

Initially, the plan sparked concerns that Southend residents would need to make an 11-mile journey for X-rays, or tests.

However, health bosses have confirmed that Southend resident will still be able to use services at Southend Hospital to avoid travelling.

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A Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board report to Southend Council’s people scrutiny committee, which will meet on Tuesday, said: “The trust has been working to ensure we increase our diagnostic capacity in mid and south Essex. Community Diagnostics Centres are a nationally-funded programme to increase diagnostic capacity. They are new one-stop shops for checks, tests and scans in the heart of local communities will make services more accessible and convenient for patients.”

Sam Gascoyne, Conservative councillor for Pitsea North West, said: “It’s very early days yet. I wasn’t aware of any immediate plans for anything to happen but obviously improving healthcare access, especially in Basildon and Pitsea, I think is an exciting opportunity for Pitsea.

“Assuming this comes to fruition, I would say that this could be a positive step for the area but I must stress as it’s so early on and waiting for funding I would want to just see what happens, but this does seem like a positive development for Pitsea if it does materialise.”

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The report said Pitsea was chosen as a “central location”.

It added: “Community diagnostic centres will deliver new ways of working, increasing diagnostic capacity so we can provide earlier diagnosis and ultimately treatment for patients.”

The scheme is part of a drive to separate emergency and elective care which the board says “will improve patient experience, reduce the number of cancelled clinics, and ensure patients are seen in a setting that is most appropriate to meet their care and diagnostic needs”.

It is one of 40 such centres across the UK. Funding for two smaller centres at Thurrock and Braintree has been agreed.