Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) offer patients a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home and greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and potentially speeding up the start of treatment. CDCs are part of the Government’s aim to shift care out of hospitals and into communities.

NHS England publishes guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) on CDCs. The 2026 version of the guidance will be published imminently. The guidance sets out the core tests for a CDC. The following table shows the overall type of core diagnostic tests available, as well as the individual modalities:

In addition, the following table shows the overall type of optional diagnostic tests available, as well as the individual modalities:

Data is not collected on timely access to diagnostic services for those from underrepresented groups including women, and those from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds.

One of the central priorities for CDCs is to offer tests for underserved populations. That is why the vast majority of CDCs are located in, or within easy public transport access from, the areas with the most deprivation and health inequalities in each ICB.

Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) offer patients a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home and greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and potentially speeding up the start of treatment. CDCs are part of the Government’s aim to shift care out of hospitals and into communities.

NHS England publishes guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) on CDCs. The 2026 version of the guidance will be published imminently. The guidance sets out the core tests for a CDC. The following table shows the overall type of core diagnostic tests available, as well as the individual modalities:

In addition, the following table shows the overall type of optional diagnostic tests available, as well as the individual modalities:

Data is not collected on timely access to diagnostic services for those from underrepresented groups including women, and those from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds.

One of the central priorities for CDCs is to offer tests for underserved populations. That is why the vast majority of CDCs are located in, or within easy public transport access from, the areas with the most deprivation and health inequalities in each ICB.

Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) offer patients a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home and greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and potentially speeding up the start of treatment. CDCs are part of the Government’s aim to shift care out of hospitals and into communities.

NHS England publishes guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) on CDCs. The 2026 version of the guidance will be published imminently. The guidance sets out the core tests for a CDC. The following table shows the overall type of core diagnostic tests available, as well as the individual modalities:

In addition, the following table shows the overall type of optional diagnostic tests available, as well as the individual modalities:

Data is not collected on timely access to diagnostic services for those from underrepresented groups including women, and those from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds.

One of the central priorities for CDCs is to offer tests for underserved populations. That is why the vast majority of CDCs are located in, or within easy public transport access from, the areas with the most deprivation and health inequalities in each ICB.

The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan: Fit for the Future, encourages the shift from hospital to community. This includes bringing diagnostic services closer to patients’ homes and improving access to timely testing in community settings. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be integral to this shift as independent sector providers are commissioned by local ICBs, which deliver services to meet the specific health needs of their local population.

The plan also committed to a new commissioning framework for ICBs. The new strategic commissioning role is a continuous evidence-based process for ICBs to plan, purchase, monitor, and evaluate services over the longer term, and with this, improve population health, reduce health inequalities, and improve equitable access to consistently high-quality healthcare.

NHS England undertook an extensive market engagement in early 2026 to gain an understanding of the ways that the independent sector can support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic service capacity and productivity, including for mobile diagnostic services and those in community settings.

This insight is underpinning work to explore whether all relevant NHS procurement frameworks can be included in an easily accessible system. The work aims to facilitate a consistent and straightforward procurement approach, while being dynamic to enable new suppliers to join at any time.

My hon. Friend is a doughty champion for his constituents. We are working with local NHS systems to identify the most appropriate places for new community diagnostic centres based on local need and health inequality. We are rapidly working to deliver our commitment of 120 NHCs by 2030 and 250 by 2035. ICBs submitted their centre proposals in May, and we have now completed the initial review.

South Norfolk is one of the fastest growing constituencies in the United Kingdom, but that population growth is putting increased pressure on local GP services like the Humbleyard Practice. Given the Government’s ambition to expand neighbourhood health provision, will the Department consider funding a neighbourhood health centre or community diagnostic centre in Long Stratton and Hethersett?

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.

Achieving value for money is primarily the responsibility of integrated care boards, who decide how best to spend fixed budgets to achieve outcomes for their local populations.

In most cases, contracts between integrated care boards and local providers will have to comply with the NHS Payment Scheme, a set of prices and rules used by providers of National Health Service care and commissioners to deliver the most efficient, cost-effective care to patients. These unit prices apply to both independent sector and NHS providers.

The DM01 Diagnostics Waiting Times and Activity dataset is a monthly National Health Service statistical return that tracks waiting times and completed procedures for 15 key diagnostic tests across England. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/monthly-diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/monthly-diagnostics-data-2026-27/

The percentage of non-emergency DM01 elective tests carried out in community diagnostic centres for 2025/26 was 17.7%. There are no plans to publish this data.

NHS England has no current plans to introduce a national patient-level activity collection for community diagnostic centres (CDC). This approach supports consistent national reporting while minimising the administrative burden on frontline services.

At a national level, CDCs are monitored through nationally collected activity data which supports oversight of diagnostic capacity, utilisation, and service delivery across England. CDC performance is monitored through aggregated data returns from local National Health Service organisations. This includes the number of diagnostic tests delivered by test type and CDC location, the number of pathways in operation, the number of patients receiving multiple tests through same-day pathways, utilisation of diagnostic assets, and the number of CDC sites delivering services to a 12-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week standard.

As of June 2026, 171 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are open, with a further three CDCs due to open in 2026/27. The Department and NHS England are also working to approve additional CDCs and details on the number and location of these CDCs will be announced in due course. This is part of the Government’s £237 million investment to significantly boost National Health Service diagnostic capacity and deliver more care in local communities.

The Government recognises the value of community-based and mobile diagnostic services in increasing access to preventative care and reducing inequalities in cardiovascular outcomes. That is why diagnostic services for patients with suspected and known cardiovascular disease (CVD) are supported across all community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

In 2025/26, over 600,000 physiological science and imaging tests for cardiovascular conditions were delivered through CDCs. To further enhance access for patients, the CDC Pathway Programme saw six cardiovascular pathways receive funding approval in 2025/26, with a further 11 approved for 2026/27.

Alongside this, the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework will be published in spring and will prioritise ambitious, evidence-led and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment and care. As part of its development, we are engaging widely to identify and consider the role of emerging innovations across the CVD pathway.

The Department does not hold patient-level activity data for community diagnostic centres.

In April 2026, the Government announced our plan to open four new community diagnostic centres (CDCs) during 2026/27. We also announced a further 32 centres, which will be expanded and improved with new scanning equipment, outpatient clinic space and additional testing facilities. The 36 centres, backed by a £237 million Government investment, will significantly boost National Health Service diagnostic capacity and deliver more care in local communities.

All CDCs have been funded to purchase and install the equipment that is specific to each CDC’s individual requirements, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. Business cases for equipment are approved nationally, and each case is reviewed to ensure that it meets the expected standards to deliver clinical pathways and meet the needs of the local population. Local equipment procurement is coordinated through the NHS Supply Chain to ensure value for money.

Staffing models are determined locally by each host organisation for the CDC. Many trusts operate on a rotational model between the acute site and the CDC to ensure that acute care remains adequately staffed whilst supporting the opportunity for staff to train in a controlled elective environment. To further support staff recruitment and retention, NHS England funds practice educator posts across the clinical services delivered in CDCs. These posts support the preceptorship of newly qualified staff and provide undergraduate and postgraduate clinical support to clinical trainees.

Funding is currently available to install digital infrastructure to ensure that patient information, images, and reports flow seamlessly from CDCs to the rest of the healthcare system. NHS England is rolling out a National Imaging Registry, which will allow clinicians across England, including in CDCs, to access current and historic patient scans and reports, reducing the need to repeat scans if the patient presents in a different location.

In April 2026, the Government announced our plan to open four new community diagnostic centres (CDCs) during 2026/27. We also announced a further 32 centres, which will be expanded and improved with new scanning equipment, outpatient clinic space and additional testing facilities. The 36 centres, backed by a £237 million Government investment, will significantly boost National Health Service diagnostic capacity and deliver more care in local communities.

All CDCs have been funded to purchase and install the equipment that is specific to each CDC’s individual requirements, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. Business cases for equipment are approved nationally, and each case is reviewed to ensure that it meets the expected standards to deliver clinical pathways and meet the needs of the local population. Local equipment procurement is coordinated through the NHS Supply Chain to ensure value for money.

Staffing models are determined locally by each host organisation for the CDC. Many trusts operate on a rotational model between the acute site and the CDC to ensure that acute care remains adequately staffed whilst supporting the opportunity for staff to train in a controlled elective environment. To further support staff recruitment and retention, NHS England funds practice educator posts across the clinical services delivered in CDCs. These posts support the preceptorship of newly qualified staff and provide undergraduate and postgraduate clinical support to clinical trainees.

Funding is currently available to install digital infrastructure to ensure that patient information, images, and reports flow seamlessly from CDCs to the rest of the healthcare system. NHS England is rolling out a National Imaging Registry, which will allow clinicians across England, including in CDCs, to access current and historic patient scans and reports, reducing the need to repeat scans if the patient presents in a different location.

In April 2026, the Government announced our plan to open four new community diagnostic centres (CDCs) during 2026/27. We also announced a further 32 centres, which will be expanded and improved with new scanning equipment, outpatient clinic space and additional testing facilities. The 36 centres, backed by a £237 million Government investment, will significantly boost National Health Service diagnostic capacity and deliver more care in local communities.

All CDCs have been funded to purchase and install the equipment that is specific to each CDC’s individual requirements, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. Business cases for equipment are approved nationally, and each case is reviewed to ensure that it meets the expected standards to deliver clinical pathways and meet the needs of the local population. Local equipment procurement is coordinated through the NHS Supply Chain to ensure value for money.

Staffing models are determined locally by each host organisation for the CDC. Many trusts operate on a rotational model between the acute site and the CDC to ensure that acute care remains adequately staffed whilst supporting the opportunity for staff to train in a controlled elective environment. To further support staff recruitment and retention, NHS England funds practice educator posts across the clinical services delivered in CDCs. These posts support the preceptorship of newly qualified staff and provide undergraduate and postgraduate clinical support to clinical trainees.

Funding is currently available to install digital infrastructure to ensure that patient information, images, and reports flow seamlessly from CDCs to the rest of the healthcare system. NHS England is rolling out a National Imaging Registry, which will allow clinicians across England, including in CDCs, to access current and historic patient scans and reports, reducing the need to repeat scans if the patient presents in a different location.

In April 2026, the Government announced our plan to open four new community diagnostic centres (CDCs) during 2026/27. We also announced a further 32 centres, which will be expanded and improved with new scanning equipment, outpatient clinic space and additional testing facilities. The 36 centres, backed by a £237 million Government investment, will significantly boost National Health Service diagnostic capacity and deliver more care in local communities.

All CDCs have been funded to purchase and install the equipment that is specific to each CDC’s individual requirements, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. Business cases for equipment are approved nationally, and each case is reviewed to ensure that it meets the expected standards to deliver clinical pathways and meet the needs of the local population. Local equipment procurement is coordinated through the NHS Supply Chain to ensure value for money.

Staffing models are determined locally by each host organisation for the CDC. Many trusts operate on a rotational model between the acute site and the CDC to ensure that acute care remains adequately staffed whilst supporting the opportunity for staff to train in a controlled elective environment. To further support staff recruitment and retention, NHS England funds practice educator posts across the clinical services delivered in CDCs. These posts support the preceptorship of newly qualified staff and provide undergraduate and postgraduate clinical support to clinical trainees.

Funding is currently available to install digital infrastructure to ensure that patient information, images, and reports flow seamlessly from CDCs to the rest of the healthcare system. NHS England is rolling out a National Imaging Registry, which will allow clinicians across England, including in CDCs, to access current and historic patient scans and reports, reducing the need to repeat scans if the patient presents in a different location.

There are currently 109 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) offering at least one diagnostic test, check or scan for 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

CDCs are a shining example of the Government shifting care out of hospitals and into the community, making life easier and more convenient for patients. With many services planned to be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, people can fit appointments around their lives, not the other way around.

The Department is committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to bring down the size of the list and reduce waiting times. The Department also recognises that teenagers and young adults require age-appropriate care, regarding diagnosis, treatment and wider support.

In April 2026, the Department announced its plan to open four new community diagnostic centres during 2026/27. The Department also announced a further 32 centres, which will be expanded and improved with new scanning equipment, outpatient clinic space and testing facilities. The 36 centres, backed by a £237 million Government investment, will significantly boost NHS diagnostic capacity and deliver more care in local communities, including for teenagers and young adults.