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Written question asked by Lord Kamall (Conservative) on Thursday, 2 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Community Diagnostic Centres

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to provide sustained, ring-fenced funding for in-vitro diagnostic services in the community, and (2) to ensure patients are able to access appropriate in-vitro care in the community.

Answer

The Government has not announced plans for a separate ring-fenced funding stream for community-based in-vitro diagnostic services. Integrated care boards are responsible for determining how allocated funding is used to meet local population needs, including for diagnostic services and community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

CDCs offer patients a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home, giving greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and supporting timely diagnosis and treatment. CDCs provide a range of in-vitro diagnostic services and are a key part of the Government’s aim to shift care out of hospitals and into communities.

The National Cancer Plan set out a £2.3 billion investment to expand diagnostic capacity and deliver 9.5 million additional tests. This includes increasing the number of CDCs and ensuring that as many as possible are open 12 hours a day and seven days a week, improving access to diagnostic services in local communities.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1595
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Finance Community diagnostic centres
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk