Community Diagnostic Centres

Delivering Community Diagnostic Centres locally

Key questions

The Case for CDC and the national programme

Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) are a national imperative. They provide a range of tests in community based settings. As a key part of the elective care pathway, access to early diagnostic tests will reduce the time it takes patients to be diagnosed and treated for serious conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, improving patient outcomes. Find out more about the case for CDCs.

Our CDC offer

Utilising existing community-based NHS LIFT estate is a great option for delivering CDCs. We draw on our experience and insight from across the out of hospital estate to help commissioners and providers maximise opportunities to provide these vital services for patients outside of the acute setting. Doing so at pace and achieving greater value. Find out more.

Community Health Partnership’s LIFT buildings provide a ready-made solution for community diagnostic centres in many places – they are high quality, accessible buildings managed by an NHS company which specialises in providing innovative space solutions for patient care. With flexibility to accommodate different CDC operating models this should be a natural starting point for ICB’s seeking to increase diagnostic capacity in community locations.

Simon Corben, Director and Head of Profession, NHS Estates and Facilities NHS England, Commercial Directorate

Community Diagnostic Centre case studies

rossendale health centre a modern brick built 3 storey health centre

Case study: Rossendale Primary Healthcare Centre CDC

April 30, 2025

Rossendale Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is a spoke community diagnostic centre for east Lancashire. It was established as part of the NHS national initiative to deliver services in the heart of the community and support the reduction in the NHS elective care backlog following COVID-19. The CDC provides diagnostic services including X-ray, non-obstetrics ultrasound, cardiology, endoscopy, respiratory tests, and an external MRI scanner pod.

Case study: Rochester Healthy Living Centre Community Diagnostic Centre

January 13, 2025

Summary The plans for a hub Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), based at Sheppey Community Hospital (SCH) and a spoke, based at Rochester Healthy Living Centre

Case Study: Delivering a Community Diagnostic Centre at Finchley Memorial Hospital

March 25, 2024

Finchley Memorial Hospital Community Diagnostic Centre is a good example of what can be achieved by working in partnership across an ICS., and linking additional diagnostic capacity into an existing, vibrant and important local care facility to meet many of North Central London (NCL) ICS’s strategic priorities and the needs of local patients.