The UK government, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, has announced the opening of six new community diagnostic centers (CDCs) across the country. These CDCs aim to tackle the issue of long NHS waiting lists by providing efficient healthcare services.
The primary goal of these CDCs is to offer patients a convenient and comprehensive experience by delivering a wide range of diagnostic tests, checks, and scans all in one place. This approach will reduce the need for patients to visit hospitals, allowing them to receive the necessary care closer to their homes and in a timelier manner.
The regions benefiting from the new CDCs include the East of England, Midlands, and the South East. The government has committed £2.3 billion to establish up to 160 CDCs across England by 2025.
Let’s take a closer look at the six new CDCs:
- North Lincolnshire CDC: Located in Scunthorpe town center, this center will conduct more than 146,000 additional checks annually. Patients can expect ultrasound checks, blood tests, and CT and MRI scans.
- Pitsea CDC: Opening in the next few months, Pitsea CDC will provide around 46,000 tests, checks, and scans each year. Situated in a retail park, it will expand the availability of endoscopy rooms for cancer patients and provide potentially life-saving CT and MRI scans.
- Ilkeston Community Hospital (Walton) CDC: Based at Walton NHS Community Hospital, this CDC will perform over 100,000 tests, checks, and scans annually. Patients will have access to ultrasound checks, X-rays, and cardiology and respiratory diagnostics.
- North Solihull CDC: Expected to open in winter 2023, this CDC will be located on a commercial retail site in Chelmsley Wood, North Solihull. It will offer MRI, CT, and X-ray scans, as well as cardiology and respiratory diagnostics, providing 116,000 tests, checks, and scans each year.
- Hereford City CDC: Opening in winter, this CDC will be situated on an NHS community hospital site in the city. Patients can avail themselves of MRI, CT, and X-ray scans, along with ultrasound and respiratory checks, and blood tests, totaling 38,000 tests, checks, and scans per year.
- Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CDC: The facility, a refurbished area in Livingstone Community Hospital, Dartford, will offer ultrasound checks, blood tests, and CT and MRI scans. Opening in autumn 2023, it will deliver over 96,000 tests, checks, and scans.
Patients who have been referred by their GPs or consultants will benefit from these CDCs as they can receive symptom checks closer to their homes and obtain diagnoses for various conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and lung disease, without the need to travel to hospitals. This not only enhances convenience for patients but also optimizes the time of healthcare professionals, thus reducing waiting lists.
To date, there are already 106 CDCs open across England, including temporary sites. Since July 2021, these centers have conducted over 3.8 million additional tests, checks, and scans. Additionally, 32 more CDCs are planned to open by the end of this year.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reiterated his commitment to reducing waiting lists through the establishment of these community diagnostic centers. By providing tests and scans closer to patients’ homes, the CDCs will expedite the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, ultimately saving lives.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay has emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in improving patient outcomes