Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) have successfully administered more than seven million tests, checks, and scans for NHS patients nationwide, significantly expediting diagnoses and treatments.
In 2023, diagnostic activity reached record highs each month, with the government committed to delivering 17 million tests through CDCs and other diagnostic initiatives by March 2025.
Since its launch in July 2021, the CDC programme, supported by a £2.3 billion investment, has facilitated the delivery of seven million tests, checks, and scans, marking the most significant financial allocation to MRI and CT scanning capacity in NHS history. Currently, 155 centres are operational in England, with plans to reach 160 by 2025.
Health Minister Andrew Stephenson emphasized the critical role played by CDCs in reducing waiting lists and easing hospital pressures by offering essential checks and scans to those in need. With 155 centres strategically located in places like shopping centres and near sports arenas, access to prompt diagnostics has greatly improved.
CDCs in convenient locations like shopping centres and university campuses are instrumental in early detection and treatment of illnesses, alleviating burdens on hospitals and facilitating quicker diagnoses for potentially life-threatening conditions like cancer and heart disease. Referrals to CDCs can be made by GPs or specialists, where state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment is used for accurate assessments.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently announced plans to invest in 100 AI-equipped MRI scanners to expedite patient results and diagnosis accuracy, benefitting 130,000 individuals annually. This initiative is part of the £4.2 billion Public Sector Productivity Plan, which includes a substantial NHS allocation for digital enhancements and AI integration.
