A pioneering NHS-funded ultrasound clinic has opened in a shopping centre to help relieve the pressure on hospitals and GP surgeries.

Physiological Measurements Ltd (PML) began working for Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in January and has spent just over half that time fitting out the state-of-the art diagnostics unit in Gravesend’s St George’s Shopping Centre.

It was officially opened by Gravesham MP Adam Holloway (Con) on Friday.

The hope is the two rooms, which have been constructed to NHS standards, will be both more accessible for patients and improve waiting times.

Jonathon Pither, who co-founded PML with Andrew Honeyman, said: “Experience has shown us this is the way to go.

"The clinic is only for NHS patients but is run by us away from its facilities.”

The centre is subject to all NHS requirements and no stone has been left unturned in respect of cleanliness – it is extremely difficult to leave even a finger print on the coated walls, while a chemical was added during the manufacturing process that kills bacteria on contact.

With limited space at GP surgeries, renting rooms is becoming increasingly difficult for private providers, adding strain to an already creaking system and creating delays for patients.

By setting up shop in a town centre, the CCG and PML hope patients will be able to get there easily, with the anxiety that sometimes surrounds going to hospital removed.

It is the first time the 10-year-old company has set up a permanent clinic away from its Shropshire headquarters.

It also runs diagnostic services from GP surgeries and hospitals in Sussex, Berkshire, eight London boroughs and Staffordshire.

Services like those provided by PML are paid for on a patient-by-patient basis but, as Mr Pither says, as soon as a patient walks into a hospital the NHS has to pay for them to be there.

Mr Pither said: “In London that can be £300 a person before treatment has even begun.

"If the patient is requiring complex surgery, relative to the overall cost that’s minimal but if it’s a quick £25 procedure it makes no sense.

“Getting patients who require service like the ones we offer out of NHS facilities is a good option.”