PLANS have been submitted to introduce a temporary CT unit at a health centre car park to “enhance the health service offer and medical facilities” and help tackle an “increased need” for its services.

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is looking to secure permission to put a temporary computerised tomography (CT) unit within the car park of St Michael’s Health Centre in Braintree.

St Michael’s Health Centre and Braintree Community Hospital are medical facilities located on Chadwick Drive, off Rayne Road, to the west of Braintree town centre.

The medical facilities provide surgery, outpatients and diagnostic imaging, birthing facilities and therapy services.

The proposed mobile CT unit will sit on a support pad in the car park to “ensure proper operation of the mobile imaging unit”.

A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body.

It is similar to how an x-ray machine works, however, the x-ray tube spins around taking lots of pictures which are then re-arranged to appear as 'slices' through the body.

Power to the proposed CT unit in Braintree will be drawn from the existing health centre.

Plans say there are “no permanent proposed changes to the site”, adding that the unit will only be situated at the site for “between 18 months to two years”.

A planning document reads: “The applicant is seeking to provide this critical facility within the existing car park at St Michael’s Health Centre to enhance the health service offer and medical facilities provided as part of the wider health centre site.

“There is an increased need for diagnostic imaging services across the UK and to bolster the capacity at existing healthcare facilities.

“The proposed development comprises the use of the land for the installation of a mobile CT unit within the car park to the rear of the St Michael’s Health Centre building to provide additional healthcare services within the area.”

Braintree Council will rule on the plans.