The NHS’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) programme continued to gather pace in April, with new facilities opening their doors, construction progressing on major schemes, and fresh government investment announced for new and expanded sites across England.
Designed to shift more diagnostics into community settings, the centres are part of a national drive to reduce waiting times, increase access to tests closer to home, and ease pressure on acute hospitals.
According to NHS England, more than 170 CDCs are now operational nationally.
The following is a roundup of key CDC milestones from April 2026:
Recently opened
Mansfield Community Diagnostic Centre: Delivered by Kier Construction, the first Mansfield CDC officially opened to provide diagnostic services across Nottinghamshire. Located alongside Mansfield Community Hospital on Stockwell Gate, the facility will deliver up to 100,000 tests annually, including MRI, CT, endoscopy and blood testing services. Ahead of the opening, Kier also completed a commemorative garden at the entrance to the new facility in partnership with Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and West Nottinghamshire College.
New, expanded or enhanced CDCs
Four new CDCs to be built under funding injection: The government announced a £237m funding package in April to support 36 Community Diagnostic Centre schemes across England. The investment covers four new CDCs, 17 expanded facilities and 15 enhancement projects aimed at increasing diagnostic capacity and reducing waiting times.
The four new centres confirmed include Bideford CDC in Devon, Gorton CDC in Manchester, Boston CDC in Lincolnshire, and Luton CDC in Bedfordshire, while expansion and upgrade works were announced for a number of existing facilities.
Metrocentre CDC: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust secured more than £10m in funding from the £237m government funding injection during April to expand its Metrocentre Community Diagnostic Centre. The second phase of the project is expected to open in spring 2027 and will create capacity for more than 38,000 additional diagnostic appointments annually. The facility originally opened in October 2024 and has already delivered more than 75,000 appointments in a retail-based community setting.
Paddington CDC: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust also secured funding from the £237m government funding injection during April to expand the Paddington CDC in Liverpool. The funds will support the addition of new sleep services, in partnership with Aintree University Hospital, including a WatchPAT home sleep study test to help diagnose sleeping conditions. It will also enhance MRI and CT scanning capabilities and provide enhanced phlebotomy services. The centre, which opened in 2023, aims to deliver up to 60,000 tests annually following the upgrades.
Walton Hospital CDC: Walton Hospital in Chesterfield is set for a significant expansion of its diagnostic services following its inclusion in the government’s £237m CDC investment programme. The funding will support the enhancement of the existing Walton CDC, which opened in 2025, enabling the introduction of permanent MRI and CT scanners alongside additional services including DEXA scanning, audiology and transnasal endoscopy.
Opening soon
Plymouth CDC: BAM UK and Ireland will soon open a new CDC in Plymouth, which is now expected to open in June. The project adds to BAM’s growing portfolio of healthcare infrastructure work focused on modular and purpose-built community health facilities across the UK.
Ongoing CDC Projects
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This is a small extract of the full article which is available ONLY to premium content subscribers. Click below to get premium content on Building Better Healthcare.
Subscribe now Already a subscriber? Sign in here.Featured companies
MTX Contracts
MTX is a full-service healthcare provider, bringing together design, build, finance, operation and maintenance expertise for healthcare projects throughout the UK
Kier Construction
We are a leading provider of Infrastructure Services, Construction and Property Developments. We are committed to delivering for communities and leaving lasting legacies...
P+HS Architects
P+HS Architects is an award winning practice, highly experienced in healthcare design. Our aim is simple: to create places that enhance people’s lives.
We work...
- Companies:
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Logan Construction