This month, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) marked an historic occasion as a time capsule was laid on the grounds of the new Montagu Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) Imaging Suite at Montagu Hospital. The ceremony, continuing a long-standing tradition at the hospital site, celebrated the future of healthcare while paying tribute to the hospital’s rich history.
The event was attended by Ed Miliband, MP for Doncaster North and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who witnessed first-hand two significant developments at Montagu Hospital.
Joining Ed Miliband were Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive at DBTH; Andrew Swift, Head of Medical Imaging Services; and representatives from the Capital Planning Unit and construction company, Integrated Health Projects (IHP) building.
The tour began at the new CDC Imaging Suite, where the group explored the interior spaces that will soon house state-of-the-art CT and MRI scanning suites. The building also features sustainable rooftop technology, including heat pumps that will provide responsive temperature control, ensuring energy efficiency throughout the facility.
Following the tour, the time capsule was placed near the entrance of the Imaging Suite. Filled with items representing the Trust’s recent history, the capsule includes magazines detailing current Trust news, drawings by local children from the COVID-19 pandemic, and artefacts documenting the progress of the Imaging Suite’s construction. Notably, it contains a copy of ‘Good Health – A Pictorial Celebration of DBTH’, written by Trust Archivist Garry Swann, which chronicles the Trust’s long-standing history.
Registered with the International Time Capsule Society, the capsule will remain sealed for 50 years, with its precise location marked by a commemorative plaque.
The tour continued with a visit to the Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence (MEOC), where Ed Miliband observed the high-quality care provided to patients, reflected in the centre’s 100% patient satisfaction rating in recent months. Jennifer Cooke, a patient from Rotherham who had recently undergone a total hip replacement, shared her experience: “Being here at the MEOC has been instrumental in my recovery. The facility is fabulous, and the staff have been so supportive.”
The CDC Imaging Suite, set to open in Spring 2025, will replace the current mobile CT and MRI units. It will feature a dedicated MRI room, a CT room, two ultrasound suites, a spacious waiting area, and additional clinical support spaces. Designed for patient comfort and accessibility, the facility will enable an additional 68,000 appointments per year.
Ultrasound services will also relocate from their current space in the Montagu CDC’s Endoscopy Suite to the new Imaging Suite, offering improved clinical flow and a better experience for both patients and staff.
Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive of DBTH, said: “I am thrilled to showcase the fantastic developments at Montagu Hospital. These investments reflect our commitment to bringing the future of healthcare into our local community, with the Montagu CDC and MEOC standing as prime examples of high-quality care in a community setting.”
To learn more about Montagu CDC, visit the Trust’s website: www.dbth.nhs.uk.
Contents of the Montagu CDC Imaging Suite time capsule include:
- Four pictures drawn by children and grandchildren of key workers from Montagu Hospital during the COVID-19 lockdown period in 2020.
- Three ‘Foundations for Health’ publications. These are monthly printed newsletters produced by DBTH. The newsletters are delivered to Foundation Trust members and distributed around the three hospital sites (Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital). They cover key news stories from around the Trust. The editions within the capsule are dated March, June and September 2024.
- Integrated Health Projects (IHP) Progress update for the CDC & Electrical Infrastructure project, dated 12/7/24.
- Three brochures promoting capital projects in development at DBTH. Produced by the Capital Planning Unit and IHP. The brochures cover the Montagu CDC endoscopy suite, the Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence (MEOC) and the Montagu CDC Imaging Suite.
- A certificate to celebrate a member of staff gaining 10 years length of service working at DBTH.
- ‘Good Health, a pictorial celebration of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’, written by Garry Swann, Trust Archivist, and published in 2018.
- A collection of trust badges: 50th anniversary commemorative lapel badge, a Learning Disability Ambassador badge, a 10 Long Service badge, and an alternative 10 year Long Service badge design.
- An NHS lanyard.
- Presentation of Montagu CDC imaging suite including floor plan and artist impression of the building’s exterior.
- Mexborough Montagu Hospital Charity Cup Final programme, covering football fundraising matches taking place from 1915 to the present day. The matches raise money for the Montagu Comfort Fund, a charity dedicated to Montagu Hospital.