Thousands more patients across the South East are accessing crucial diagnostic tests closer to their homes 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, such as shopping centres, former car showrooms and other locations away from hospitals, giving patients greater choice on where and how diagnostic tests and procedures are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and potentially speeding up the start of treatment.

Last year (2023/24) the region delivered 800,000 diagnostic tests in the CDCs across the region. During 2024/25, this has risen to 1.25 million, a 56% increase.

In April 2025 alone CDCs in the region carried out 115,933 diagnostic tests and procedures, including MRI scans, CT scans, echocardiograms, bone density (DEXA) scans, X Rays, blood tests, and a number of other tests.

There are currently 30 CDCs across the South East, with more expected to open their doors to patients in the coming months, 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.

One due to open its doors soon is Redhill CDC in Surrey, which is located in the Belfy Shopping Centre, offering convenience for local residents. Once fully operational it will offer 12-hour, seven-day-a-week service, providing tests such as CT scans, X-rays, ECGs, ultrasounds, and blood and respiratory checks.

It is expected to carry out nearly 40,000 tests in its first year, potentially reducing around 200,000 patient journeys to East Surrey Hospital over five years.

Dr Christopher Tibbs, Medical Director for the NHS in the South East, 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 South East. 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 South East. 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.

Bexhill CDC, which opened in January 2023, is in a former care sales showroom, conveniently located in the heart of the community offering cardiac diagnostics, X-rays, echo-ECGs, ultrasound, lung function tests and phlebotomy (blood tests), as well as MRI and CT scans. Between April 2024 and the middle of March 2025, the CDC delivered over 76,000 tests and scans for local residents.