Rutherford Health to construct new UK diagnostics facility

Rutherford Health has received conditional planning permission to construct a new diagnostics facility in Taunton, Somerset. The company is at the vanguard of advancing cancer care in the UK and internationally, building a network of oncology centres known as the Rutherford Cancer Centres.

Rutherford Health subsidiary, Rutherford Diagnostics, has entered into a partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to provide diagnostic services, which Rutherford Diagnostics will deliver from the new state-of-the-art facility in Taunton. The centre, located at the disused Zenith Fire Control Centre in Taunton, is expected to become operational in late 2021.

Rutherford Health hopes to construct five diagnostics centres across the UK as part of an investment agreement with Equitix Limited, a leading investor, developer and long-term fund manager of core infrastructure assets in the UK and Europe.

The centre in Taunton will be the first such facility for Rutherford Diagnostics and will offer computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, X-Ray and other diagnostic services. In addition to providing services to NHS patients via the initial five-year contract with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, the centre will be available to private medical insurance and self-pay patients in the South West.

Historically the UK’s investment in diagnostics has lagged behind that of its Western European neighbours, particularly for cancer.