Four new NHS health centres planned to improve access to diagnostic tests for people across West Yorkshire

NHS England has given approval for the creation of four new community-based NHS diagnostic testing facilities across West Yorkshire. The new one-stop-shops for checks, scans and tests will be backed by a £28 million investment.

The Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) will provide a large range of diagnostic tests, including imaging (such as x-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI), pathology (such as phlebotomy) and physiological measurement tests (such as ECGs for heart conditions). Tests and checks carried out at these sites will help staff diagnose a range of conditions including cancer, heart and lung disease quicker to ensure patients get the care they need more quickly.

The locations for these centres have been decided based on where they are most needed to support existing NHS services. They will provide additional diagnostic capacity to support services already available in hospitals.

The four new centres will open in Eccleshill, Huddersfield, Seacroft and Wakefield. Plans are also being developed for further supporting centres in Armley, Beeston, Bradford, Castleford, Dewsbury, Halifax, Hemsworth, Keighley and Todmorden.

Diagnostic services will be delivered from these centres from 2023 onwards.

Len Richards, Chief Executive of The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Senior Responsible Officer for Diagnostics in West Yorkshire, said: “I’m delighted that the funding for these additional diagnostic services has been approved. The development of these centres will provide a more accessible and more equitable diagnostic service to the communities of West Yorkshire. As these centres will carry out routine diagnostics, which won’t be usurped by emergency and urgent diagnostics, it should ultimately help to reduce patient delays thereby resulting in an improved patient experience.”

Rob Webster CBE, CEO Lead for West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership said: “We are working together across West Yorkshire to develop new approaches to diagnostics, so once referred by a GP, pharmacist or hospital, people can get symptoms checked out more quickly, closer to home, in their communities. This is part of plans to reduce times for diagnosis and treatment – which is a priority for us all”.