Patients in the East of England can now access crucial diagnostic tests, checks and scans more conveniently, with 10 Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in the region open out of usual hours in evenings and weekends.

There are currently 19 CDCs across the East of England, meaning more patients can access tests and scans closer to home, as work continues to reduce the number of people on waiting lists for diagnostics and treatment.

10 of the 19 CDCs are now providing services 12 hours a day, seven days a week, with patients already benefitting from more convenient appointment times, and shorter time waiting for diagnosis

In just three months this year (April to June), CDCs in the region delivered almost 175,000 tests and scans (174,149). Almost 1.2 million (1,190,545) tests and scans have now been done since CDCs first started opening in 2021, a figure set to grow as more CDCs offer out-of-hour services in evenings and weekends to fit around patients’ busy working lives.

Building on this success, another seven CDCs are planned to become fully operational in the region within the next 12 months.

This comes as the Department of Health and Social Care has this week been highlighting the benefit of CDCs in the East of England on social media and local radio, including a short video filmed with patients and clinicians at James Paget CDC in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

CDCs are based at the heart of communities, operating from convenient settings like shopping centres and local hospitals, so patients can fit their care into their daily routines. Many centres also offer free parking to make care as accessible as possible.

Patients across the region have been quick to praise the new facilities.

Amongst the first to visit the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital CDC when it opened earlier this year were Philip Hunt and Karen Playford, who were in for CT and MRI scans respectively.

 Philip said: “I am very happy with everything so far – and I was seen bang on time. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

 Karen added: “It is so lovely, clean, fresh and calming. I love it. And the staff have been very helpful explaining everything to me.”

Wayne Rowlands also visited the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital CDC for an emergency CT scan.

He said: “I came here for the scan and everything went very smoothly. It was such a pleasant experience. Absolutely brilliant. It’s very bright and not at all like a hospital.

“The staff have all been absolutely brilliant as well. This is something really quite special that we have here.”

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust CDC opened in September 2024, with plans to offer extended hours from next year. Visiting the CDC on the opening morning was 83-year-old, Ruth Gordon who was attending an ultrasound appointment.

She said: “It was really easy to find and had a nice friendly atmosphere. The staff were very welcoming which always relaxes you and gives you confidence they are in charge.”

Adam Cayley – Regional Chief Operating Officer for NHS England – East of England, said: “Community Diagnostic Centres are all about making life easier for patients, and bringing down waiting lists.

“Access to vital tests, checks and scans at CDCs can be quicker and more convenient for people, fitting in around their busy lives. Extending opening times to evenings and weekends will make faster diagnosis even easier, and help us tackle health inequalities in our communities across the region.

“That more diagnostic tests are being delivered is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff across the East of England.”

Patients can be referred to CDCs via their GP or hospital-based clinical teams.

The NHS is making it easier for GPs to refer directly to CDCs via schemes like GP Direct Access, so patients can have their diagnostic test ahead of meeting their consultant, reducing the number of outpatient appointments they need to attend.

Delivering more convenient care out-of-hours is a key mission in the Government’s Plan for Change, transforming healthcare and making the NHS fit for the future.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Photos of patients Philip Hunt and Karen Playford are available to download:
  • Philip Hunt CT scan 1
  • Philip Hunt CT scan 2
  • Karen Playford
• The 10 CDCs in the East of England currently providing services 12 hours a day, seven days a week are:
  • Bishop’s Stortford CDC
  • Clacton CDC
  • Ely CDC
  • Hemel Hempstead CDC
  • James Paget CDC, Great Yarmouth
  • New QEII Hospital CDC, Welwyn Garden City
  • Norfolk and Norwich CDC
  • St Albans CDC
  • West Essex CDC, Epping
  • Whitehouse CDC, Milton Keynes
• For more information on where your local CDC is, visit: Delivering reduced waiting times – GOV.UK.
• The Department of Health and Social Care has this week launched social media and local radio activity to showcase the launch of some CDCs in the East of England. This includes videos filmed with patients and clinicians at the James Paget CDC in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk: clip with patient and clip with clinician.
• Statistics on CDC activity are published on NHS England’s website: Statistics » CDC Management Information
• A CDC operating 12/7 is defined as one that offers at minimum one service for 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
• CDCs provide a range of tests across imaging, physiological science testing, pathology and endoscopy modality groups. This includes MRI and CT scans, Echocardiography, and phlebotomy services.  Individual CDCs will provide different mix of tests depending on local need, in line with the archetype definitions (see here: NHS England » Community diagnostic centres)
• The Government’s recently launched Plan for Change sets out how the Government is helping to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future.  The Plan is backed by nearly £26 billion healthcare investment over two years – with over £600 million capital funding committed for 2025/26 to transform diagnostic services amidst growing demands. This includes funding up to 5 additional CDCs in 2025/26, as committed to in the Elective Reform Plan, alongside expanding a number of existing CDCs.

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