NHS's CDC programme: What happened in June?

The NHS's Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) programme continued to progress during June, with a major new facility opening its doors, construction milestones reached on several schemes and projects across England moving closer to completion.

Designed to expand access to diagnostic services closer to patients' homes, the nationwide programme continues to increase capacity for tests including MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray and endoscopy while helping reduce pressure on acute hospitals.

The following is Building Better Healthcare roundup of key CDC milestones from June 2026.

CDCs that opened

Plymouth CDC: The new Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre officially opened to patients in June following completion of the £21.96m project delivered by BAM UK & Ireland for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

Constructed on the former Colin Campbell Court site in Plymouth city centre, the three-storey facility was designed by KTA Architects and delivered through the Southern Construction Framework.

BAM worked alongside Totus Engineering, GE Healthcare and MIS Healthcare to complete the specialist diagnostic installations and commissioning.

The centre will provide MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, lung function testing, phlebotomy and other diagnostic services, delivering around 91,000 diagnostic appointments annually and allowing many patients to receive tests closer to home.

Stoke-on-Trent CDC: The new Stoke-on-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre officially opened in June, completing the £42.6m transformation of the former Sainsbury's site in Hanley.

Delivered by IHP, the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, the facility will provide up to 180,000 diagnostic tests each year, offering MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy and physiological sciences services.

Designed by Gilling Dod Architects, the centre forms part of the NHS's Community Diagnostic Centre programme, bringing diagnostic services closer to patients' homes while helping to reduce pressure on Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Recently completed and soon to open

Bridgwater CDC: Ergéa UK announced the practical completion of the new Bridgwater CDC during June, marking a significant milestone for the £17.8m project delivered in partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

Constructed with building partner Actiform under Ergéa UK's long-term managed service partnership, the purpose-built facility will provide MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography and phlebotomy services once operational.

The centre is expected to welcome its first patients later this summer.

Ongoing CDC projects

Pitsea CDC: Construction continued at the £54m Pitsea Community Diagnostic Centre, where MTX Contracts reached a significant milestone with the installation of 159 structural steel modules.

The two-storey building is being delivered using hybrid modern methods of construction, with large structural sections manufactured offsite before assembly in Pitsea town centre.

Once complete, the centre will become the largest Community Diagnostic Centre serving mid and south Essex, providing more than 130,000 additional diagnostic appointments each year.

Queen Victoria Hospital CDC: Construction also continued on the new £8.4m Community Diagnostic Centre at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

The CDC is being delivered by Logan Construction and the project remains on course for completion later this year.

West Berkshire MRI CDC: Work remained on schedule at the new MRI Community Diagnostic Centre at West Berkshire Community Hospital.

Delivered by Algeco and designed by P+HS Architects, the modular facility will house two MRI scanners capable of delivering up to 17,500 scans annually once operational. Construction is expected to complete during winter 2026.

Luton and South Bedfordshire CDC: A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May to mark the start of construction on the new Luton and South Bedfordshire Community Diagnostic Centre.

The £25m project is being delivered by contractor Ashe Construction on the University of Bedfordshire campus and will provide endoscopy, CT and DEXA scanning facilities for local patients.

Developed by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire and Central East Integrated Care Board, the centre is expected to open in spring 2027.

New, expanded or enhanced CDCs

Four new CDCs to be built under funding injection

The government announced a £237m funding package to support 36 Community Diagnostic Centre schemes across England.

The investment includes four new CDCs, 17 expansion projects and 15 enhancement schemes aimed at increasing diagnostic capacity and reducing waiting times.

The four new centres confirmed are Bideford CDC in Devon, Gorton CDC in Manchester, Boston CDC in Lincolnshire and Luton CDC in Bedfordshire.

The CDCs are expected to open:

Luton and South Bedfordshire CDC: spring 2027
Bideford CDC: summer 2027
Boston CDC: 2026- 2027
Gorton (Manchester) CDC: 2026-2027

Conclusion

The opening of Plymouth's new CDC, practical completion of Bridgwater's new centre and continued progress on projects in Pitsea and West Berkshire demonstrate that the programme continues to expand diagnostic capacity across England.

With further CDC projects progressing through construction and additional government-funded schemes moving into development, more centres are expected to come online throughout the remainder of 2026.