July was a busy month for the NHS’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) programme, with new facilities opening across England, existing centres expanding capacity and major schemes progressing through construction.
Here are some of the key CDC developments from the month:
CDCs that opened
Scarborough CDC: The new Scarborough CDC has opened to patients following the completion of a £12.5m purpose-built facility at Scarborough Business Park in Eastfield.
Delivered by Darwin Group as principal contractor for York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the 1,480 sqm two-storey modular building was constructed between July 2024 and June 2025.
St Margaret’s CDC: The new St Margaret’s CDC in Epping has opened to patients following a £26m+ investment by Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.
Delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction through the ProCure 23 framework, the project involved refurbishing and extending an existing bungalow at St Margaret’s Hospital to create a new diagnostic facility.
A further £6m extension is currently being delivered at the site, due for completion in early 2027, which will add additional ultrasound and X-ray capacity, a fibroscanner and space for trans-nasal endoscopy services
Withington CDC: The new Withington CDC has opened at Withington Community Hospital, becoming the largest development on the site in two decades.
Delivered by BAM for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the purpose-built Manchester and Trafford CDC will provide around 129,000 diagnostic tests annually through services including imaging, cardiology, respiratory and other diagnostic pathways.
The facility will operate alongside existing CDCs in Harpurhey and Gorton.
Crawley CDC: The new Crawley CDC has opened at Crawley Hospital following a £12m investment by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
Delivered by Modular Health, the purpose-built facility was constructed using modern methods of construction and provides CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray and other diagnostic services.
The centre is expected to deliver around 50,000 additional diagnostic appointments each year, helping increase capacity across West Sussex and reduce pressure on acute hospital services.
CDC expansions completed
Maypole CDC: An expansion of the Maypole CDC in Birmingham has been completed, increasing capacity at the facility operated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
The centre, which was originally opened in 2023, has been expanded to add additional diagnostic capacity, including increased imaging and outpatient space.
Lincoln CDC: A £4m extension to Lincoln CDC has been completed by MTX Contracts for Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group, expanding the facility’s capacity for planned care and outpatient services.
Delivered in approximately 21 weeks using modern methods of construction, the extension adds nine consultation rooms, a treatment room and a plaster room, and connects to the existing CDC through a new linkway alongside associated drainage and groundworks.
The additional space will support orthopaedic, physiotherapy, dermatology, neurophysiology and stroke clinics, allowing some outpatient activity to move from Lincoln County Hospital into the community setting.
Ongoing CDC project updates
Pitsea CDC: Construction of the new Pitsea CDC has reached a major milestone, with MTX Contracts beginning installation of 159 offsite-manufactured modules.
The £54m facility is being delivered for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust using a hybrid modern methods of construction approach, with key structural elements manufactured offsite before being assembled on location.
Due to open in 2027, the centre will provide around 120,000 diagnostic appointments annually, including MRI, CT, X-ray, blood testing and endoscopy services.
New CDC schemes approved
Plymouth plans second CDC at Colin Campbell Court: Plans for a second CDC in Plymouth have moved forward following approval for the £25m scheme at Colin Campbell Court.
The project is being developed by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and Plymouth City Council, building on the city’s existing CDC provision.
The new centre will expand access to diagnostic and outpatient services, including MRI, ultrasound, bone density scanning, phlebotomy and clinical consultation rooms.
CDC plans progress
Northamptonshire CDC moves closer to approval: Plans for a new CDC in Northamptonshire are set to be reviewed by the council as part of proposals to expand local diagnostic capacity.
The scheme is being developed by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and forms part of wider plans to deliver more diagnostic services closer to communities.
Further details on the project timeline, contractor and facility specification will follow as the proposals progress.
Conclusion
July marked one of the busiest months for CDC openings in recent months, with four new centres becoming operational during the month across Scarborough, Epping, Manchester and Crawley.
The month also saw expansions completed at Maypole CDC in Birmingham and Lincoln CDC, increasing capacity at existing community diagnostic facilities.
This compares with two CDC openings highlighted in June, including Stoke-on-Trent and other facilities progressing through completion and commissioning stages.
Alongside these completed projects, July saw further progress on major CDC schemes, including the installation of 159 offsite-manufactured modules at Pitsea CDC and planning approval for a second CDC in Plymouth.
Featured companies
- Companies:
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Morgan Sindall Construction
