Expansion Of Community Diagnostic Centres

Patients across England are set to benefit from quicker access to tests, checks and scans closer to home following a £237 million government investment in community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

The funding will support the development of 36 centres, including the opening of four new CDCs and improvements to a further 32 existing sites. Of these, 17 centres will be physically expanded, while 15 will receive targeted enhancements to increase capacity and broaden the range of services available.

The new centres are planned for Gorton (Manchester), Luton, Boston and Bideford, with delivery expected across 2026 and 2027. Expansion and enhancement works at existing centres will include additional clinical rooms, upgraded diagnostic equipment such as MRI, CT and ultrasound scanners, and the introduction of additional services including audiology, ophthalmology and respiratory care.

Community diagnostic centres are designed to provide a wide range of tests in local settings such as high streets, shopping centres and leisure facilities. Many operate extended hours, with over 100 centres currently open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are currently 170 CDCs in operation across England. The latest investment is intended to increase diagnostic capacity, support earlier diagnosis and reduce the need for patients to travel to hospital for routine tests.

In 2025, the NHS in England carried out a record 29 million diagnostic tests. The expansion of CDCs is expected to build on this capacity, with some of the upgrades beginning to benefit patients from 2026 onwards.

Further information and a breakdown of the CDC locations can be found here.