• 17 Community Diagnostic Centres across the South East now offer services to patients 12 hours a day, seven days a week  

• Thousands of patients can access vital tests, scans and checks around busy working lives  

 Thousands of patients across the South East can now access vital diagnostic tests and scans at extended times and in their community, as 17 Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in the region are now open in the evenings and on weekends.  

Based in local convenient settings like shopping centres, community hospitals, and business parks, many of these centres also offer free parking to make accessing care as easy as possible and easy access to local transport links. 

Over half (17) of the 30 CDCs in the South East are offering tests and scans 12 hours a day, seven days a week as the NHS in the region works to give patients greater flexibility and choice as part of the 10 Year Health Plan. 

Last year, CDCs in the South East delivered more than 1.3 million tests and scans, while in the first three months of this year alone the centres in the region have delivered more than 360,000 tests and scans. 

Since opening in 2021 CDCs in the South East have delivered 3.2 million tests; often speeding up diagnosis and helping patients start treatment sooner than previously. 

There are plans for more CDCs to open across the region with Redhill CDC located in the Belfry Shopping Centre in Surrey set to open in September 2025, offering ultimate convenience for local residents with its town centre location. 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.     

Medical Director for the NHS in the South East, Dr Christopher Tibbs said: “We are increasingly offering diagnostic services to patients when and where they need it most to fit around their often-busy lives. 

“The huge number of tests carried out in the South East shows how popular and important the services are and is why we are working hard to extend the number of CDCs and expand their opening hours. 

“When you have a medical need, the time and place of your diagnostic tests should not be one of the problems you are facing. CDCs are borne from that principle, and it is great to see them being so successful and making a real difference to patients.” 

Referrals to a community diagnostic centre can be made by a GP or hospital based clinical teams. The NHS is also making it easier for GPs to refer directly to CDCs via schemes like GP Direct Access, and developing more activity involving CDCs, so patients can have their diagnostic test ahead of meeting their consultant, reducing the number of outpatient appointments they need to attend.  

62-year-old patient Paul O’Connor, from Minster, was among the first patients to have a CT scan at the unit in Sheppey, avoiding the need to travel to a main hospital building in Medway or further afield. 

He said: “It was really easy to get here as I live just around the corner in Minster. I was even able to come for my CT scan on a short break while working from home, and I got a parking space straight away. 

“It’s very different to coming into a busy, bigger hospital environment. The calming atmosphere is really noticeable – the murals on the wall, and the quietness, help you feel less anxious about the clinical setting. The radiographers Jay and Sohail were very friendly and caring – overall it was a really great experience and I felt at ease.”   

Community Diagnostic Centres are a pivotal part of the government’s Plan for Change to transform care, moving it out of hospital and into the community and to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future.    

For more information on where your local community diagnostic centre is, visit: Delivering reduced waiting times – GOV.UK.  

ENDS