There are currently 170 CDCs operating across England, often found in locations like shopping centers, football stadiums, and university campuses. Patients can access these facilities through referrals from their GPs or clinical teams in hospitals.
The government has announced that 100 CDCs are now open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, representing an increase of 37 CDCs compared to their opening hours in July 2024. This expansion aims to provide patients with more convenient and timely access to diagnostic services.
This move is part of the government’s plan for change, which aims to transform the healthcare system and ensure the NHS is fit for the future. Expanding community-based services is a key aspect of this approach.
NHS Secretary Wes Streeting stated, “Our government is committed to providing healthcare that accommodates the lives of working individuals. From early morning MRI scans to late evening blood tests, we are extending the operating hours of community diagnostic centers to meet patients’ needs and prioritize them.”
Further plans include building up to five more CDCs in 2025-26 and expanding weekend opening hours. The NHS has reportedly delivered over 1.6 million more tests and scans from July 2024 to June 2025 compared to the same period the previous year.
Sarah Sleet, the CEO at Asthma + Lung UK, emphasized the importance of easy access to tests for improving the diagnosis rates of lung conditions. Timely and accurate diagnoses can lead to better management of lung conditions, reduced hospital admissions, and even save lives.
Laura Challinor, the senior policy manager at Blood Cancer UK, welcomed the expansion but called for more action to address regional variations in diagnostic testing practices, especially for blood cancers.
Charlotte Beardmore, the executive director of professional policy at the Society of Radiographers, noted that while CDCs improve access to routine imaging investigations and timely diagnostics, there is a growing demand for imaging services, which requires investment in the radiography workforce to ensure all CDCs can provide the necessary services effectively.
