Key Summary
- 100 CDCs now open evenings and weekends, offering millions more tests and scans
- Faster Diagnosis Standard reached record levels, with nearly 97,000 more people getting results within 28 days
- Extended hours cut delays, e.g. Oldham CDC halved lung cancer diagnosis times
With 100 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) remaining open in the evenings and on weekends, patients across England can now access vital diagnostic tests and scans out of hours.
The patients no longer have to choose between going to office and underging important health tests such as MRI scans and endoscopies, as more centres open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The government has delivered 7.2 million CDC tests and scans since July 2024, and the latest NHS England data shows over 1.6 million more tests and scans from July 2024 to June 2025, compared to the same time the previous year.
For cancer, the NHS hit the Faster Diagnosis Standard with 76.8 per cent - or 218,463 people – getting their cancer test outcomes within 28 days, the highest June since the standard was introduced.
Improved performance on the Faster Diagnosis Standard means that nearly 100,000 (97,000) more people have had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days between July 2024 and June 2025, compared to the same period last year.
With CDCs open for extended hours, it has increased the number of patient diagnosis all around the country.
Oldham CDC has slashed lung cancer diagnosis times from 42 days to just 18.8 days, meeting the Faster Diagnosis Standard for the first time.
Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting said, “From early morning MRI scans to late evening blood tests, we’re meeting patients where they need it most by extending the operating hours for community diagnostic centres and putting patients first.”
Patients can be referred to CDCs via their GP or hospital based clinical teams.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England National Medical Director, said, “We know people are living incredibly busy lives and it’s vital NHS care reflects that.
“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.”
