Thousands more patients across the North West are accessing crucial diagnostic tests every week thanks to the work of innovative Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) across the region.

CDCs offer patients a wide range of diagnostic tests in convenient locations and offer a greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and potentially speeding up the start of treatment. They offer a range of diagnostic tests including MRI scans, CT scans, echocardiograms and bone density (DEXA) scans, and also help to minimise delays and cancellations.   They provide easier access, parking and greater choice for patients, in sites that include shopping centres, community hospitals, and some co-located on acute hospital sites.

There are currently 25 CDCs across the North West, a mixture of permanent and temporary locations, with the temporary sites set to be replaced with permanent locations in the coming months following the success of the programme to date. Since the programme began in 2021/22, CDCs have delivered more than 2 million tests in the North West, within communities, as work continues to reduce the number of people on waiting lists for diagnostics and treatment.

On Monday 28 April, Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer visited Rossendale CDC, part of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, to see how the community is benefitting from their CDC, which opened in 2022.

The community diagnostics centre is in the Rossendale Primary Care Health Centre, which was chosen as it was rooted in the local Rossendale community and operates a unique cluster of services. The diagnostics offer is integrated with ‘cradle to grave’ services also available on site – birthing, GP practice, minor injuries unit and hospice.

The Prime Minister said: “This diagnostic centre is showing that we can increase productivity and provide a better service. The staff here are very proud of what they are doing, and I say a big thank-you to them.”

In 2024, CDCs across the region contributed to 11.31% of all diagnostic tests delivered across the region in 2024/ 25. Between April 2024 and March 2025 CDCs 942,637 tests were delivered at CDCs in the North West, up from 655,247 between April 2023 and March 2024.

Clatterbridge Diagnostics was one of the first CDCs opened in England. It is a partnership between The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS FT and Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS FT and delivers increased testing for MRI, CT, Ultrasound, X-Ray, Sleep Apnoea, Blood Tests, Endoscopy, ECHO, ECGs and Respiratory testing.

Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has since expanded its CDC offer, with Paddington CDC located in Liverpool. The building, which was originally a Rutherford Cancer Centre – an independent cancer hospital – was brought back into public ownership in 2023, and has delivered more than 40,000 tests, checks and scans in that time. Paddington has also helped to provide support and mutual aid to a number of Trusts in the Mersey region. This support has not only helped to reduce waiting lists for diagnostics at a Trust level, but also across the Cheshire and Mersey system.

Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director for the NHS in the North West, said: “Ensuring people can get faster, more convenient access to crucial diagnostic scans, tests and monitoring is helping us make huge improvement to patient care and experience across the North West. By bringing high-quality care closer to home, we’re not only reducing waiting times but also ensuring that patients receive the support they need at the right time.

“The growth in numbers of diagnostic tests being delivered to patients across the region is testament to the hard work, dedication and innovation of staff across the North West. This work is helping us diagnose conditions earlier, improve outcomes, and reduce pressure on our hospitals, making a real difference in the lives of patients across the region.”

As the NHS focuses on shifting care from hospital into the community, CDCs are often located in central, convenient places in buildings previously used for other purposes.

In April 2024 Manchester University Hospitals NHS FT opened a new CDC in Harpurhey, North Manchester, based at the North City Family and Fitness Centre, and provides North Manchester residents with access to eye care services (ophthalmology), heart tests (cardiology), lung function and respiratory sleep diagnostic tests closer to home and away from the trust’s major hospital sites.

The North Manchester Community Diagnostics Centre, opened less than a year ago, has already delivered over 45,000 tests – 17% of all diagnostic activity across the Trust. Work is also underway on a new Centre at Withington Community Hospital. This will increase capacity, reduce pressure on acute sites and offer more convenient appointments closer to home.

Patients, local people and staff in South Cumbria are set to benefit from a new £5.8million Croslands CDC currently under construction on land at Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow and set to open in 2025.

The facility – alongside recently opened CDCs at Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal and Heysham Health Centre – will be run by UHMBT and the Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative and will have an MRI Scanning Suite along with support services including a Prep Area, Recovery Area, Patient Change, Control Room, Reception and Waiting Area, as well as three clinic rooms.

As part of the government’s plan to go further, faster, they have committed to by significantly expanding the number of CDCs open 12 hours a day, seven days a week—making it easier for people to get their tests and appointments done at a time that suits them.