The move in England is intended to make it easier for patients to access tests and scans around day-to-day commitments.
The Department of Health and Social Care has said that 100 Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) across England are now offering extended opening hours, with services running 12 hours a day, seven days a week – including evenings and weekends.
The move is intended to make it easier for patients to access tests and scans around everyday commitments, including work and caring responsibilities.
The expansion of community diagnostic centres is one of the “three key shifts.
“By shifting from hospital to community, we will finally bring down devastating hospital waiting lists and stop patients going from pillar to post to get treated,” said health and social care secretary Wes Streeting at the beginning of July.
The plan is backed by £6 billion of additional capital investment to improve capacity for elective, diagnostic and urgent care services over five years, with more than £600 million capital funding committed for the next year to transform diagnostic services. This includes funding up to five additional CDCs.
“The services provided by community diagnostic centres enable people to receive the all-clear or a diagnosis at a time and location that suits them – whether before a school drop-off or after a work shift – and extending their opening hours means more people are being seen more quickly,” said NHS England national medical director Meghana Pandit.
Tackling health inequalities
The news was immediately welcomed as a way to cut waiting times, enhance early diagnosis and tackle health inequalities.
“Patients tell us that getting vital tests, scans and checks at a time and location that works for them can make a huge difference,” said Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association.
“We’ve called for expanding the ambitions for Community Diagnostic Centres and we’re pleased that more people will be able to fit appointments around their lives, especially for those managing work, caring responsibilities or other commitments,” she continued.
Similarly, Rory Deighton, acute director at the NHS Confederation, welcomed the move and described CDCs as a great example of why “investing capital to boost modern equipment and estate is vital”.
Laura Challinor, senior policy manager at Blood Cancer UK, agreed. She emphasised that it is imperative that everyone affected by blood cancer can readily access the diagnostic tests and appointments they need. “We also want to see a commitment to end regional variation in diagnostic testing practice, including Full Blood Count (FBC) tests available for those presenting with non-specific symptoms, and timed diagnostic pathways developed for blood cancers,” she said.
