Extra 500,000 checks per year to be delivered by six new NHS community diagnostic centres, government announces

The health service’s battle to tackle waiting lists is set for a boost as the Government announce six new NHS community diagnostic centres (CDCs) that will deliver an extra 500,000 tests and checks per year.

The new CDCs will help even more patients access healthcare closer to home and reduce the need for avoidable hospital visits, thus alleviating pressure on the health service and streamlining patient flow.

The incoming centres are:

• The North Lincolnshire CDC which will deliver almost 150,000 additional checks per annum;
• The Pitsea CDC which will deliver up to 46,000 extra checks a year;
• The Ilkeston Community Hospital (Walton) CDC which will offer another 100,000 checks annually;
• The North Solihull CDC which deliver around 116,000 checks, tests and scans per year;
• The Hereford City CDC which will provide 38,000 more checks every year;
• The Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CDC which will offer nearly 100,000 checks per annum.

The Government is investing £2.3bn to roll out 160 CDCs by 2025 in England, with 106 currently open and more than 3.8 million extra tests, checks and scans being delivered since July 2021.

🏥 Community diagnostic centres are helping to cut waiting lists with more than 3.8 million extra tests, checks and scans delivered across England.

An additional six new centres are opening to offer patients faster diagnosis and treatment closer to home. pic.twitter.com/GX7oUV8kAd

— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) May 15, 2023

Health secretary, Steve Barclay, commented: “We know early diagnosis and treatment leads to better outcomes for patients, which is why these centres are so vital. Based in the heart of communities, they are making it easier for people to access life-saving checks and cutting out unnecessary hospital visits.”

NHS England’s medical director for transformation, Dr Vin Diwakar, added: “The NHS delivered a record 2.3 million diagnostic tests in March, up more than 128,000 on the previous monthly record, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff.

“These new CDCs will continue to increase access to care by providing vital scans, X-rays, endoscopies and blood tests closer to patients’ homes, building on the progress we have already made to drive down the longest waits and diagnose cancer earlier.”