Patients across Slough and East Berkshire will now benefit from quicker, easier access to essential diagnostic tests following the official opening of the £25 million Slough Community Diagnostic Centre.
The new centre is part of a national NHS programme to transform diagnostic services and forms a core element of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust’s 2030 vision for modern, inclusive and connected healthcare.
Open seven days a week, the CDC will deliver up to 150,000 additional tests a year, including:
- CT scans
- MRI scans
- Ultrasound
- X‑rays
- Lung function tests
- Blood tests
The expanded capacity aims to reduce waiting times, bring services closer to home, ease pressure on hospitals such as Wexham Park, and support GPs and community clinics by enabling faster investigations for urgent patients.
The Slough CDC joins a growing network of community diagnostic hubs across England, providing millions of additional tests annually. These centres are helping to diagnose conditions such as cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses earlier, improving outcomes and supporting NHS recovery efforts.
The centre is the result of close collaboration between Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board, NHS England, as well as local partners and community groups.
Together, they have streamlined processes so GPs can request tests more quickly and receive results sooner – reducing unnecessary hospital visits and enabling faster next steps in patient care.
The new Slough CDC is one of the most advanced diagnostic facilities in the region, using:
- Linked imaging systems
- Secure digital reporting
- Integrated electronic pathways
These technologies allow clinicians across the NHS to access patient results rapidly and safely, supporting faster clinical decision‑making and a more joined‑up patient experience.
The planning and development of the CDC were shaped with input from:
- Local residents
- Faith groups
- Community organisations
Their insights helped ensure the centre meets local needs with flexible appointment times, easy transport links, as well as a calm, welcoming and modern environment.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive, Lance McCarthy, said:
“This is a landmark day for Slough and for our Trust. The new Community Diagnostic Centre will make it faster and easier for people to get the tests they need, closer to where they live. It supports the national NHS commitment to cut waiting times and will deliver easy access to world-class diagnostic services for 150,000 more appointments each year, supporting earlier diagnosis, improving health outcomes, and tackling health inequalities in partnership with local communities.”
The centre is expected to play a key role in supporting earlier diagnosis, improving patient journeys and helping to deliver high‑quality, accessible care across Slough and East Berkshire.
Image credit: iStock
