North East and North Cumbria ICB is set to open a new community diagnostic centre (CDC) this winter which will offer up to 104,000 checks, test and scans.
The Government approved the Durham CDC this week, which will open a redeveloped shopping centre in Stockton-on-Tees.
Currently, 89 of the 134 approved CDCs are operational, with 14 based in the North East and Yorkshire. The Government previously committed to opening 160 CDCs by 2025, performing 9 million tests a year.
The North East’s 14 CDCs have so far delivered more than 257,000 tests, checks and scans.
The new site will offer MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasound scans, cardiology, X-rays, blood tests and respiratory checks.
David Gallagher, the ICB’s executive director of place delivery in Tees Valley and Central, said: ‘Earlier diagnoses for patients through easier, faster and more convenient access to testing we know can significantly improve a patients long-term health. Having a health hub in the heart of Stockton town centre will help us catch cancers and other health issues as quickly as possible, helping us save more lives.’
And Phil Woolfall, clinical director for radiology at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Having access to services including MRI scans and CT scans means patients can receive faster health checks outside of the hospital setting and closer to their homes.’
As many as 264,000 patients had their first consultation appointment following an urgent cancer referral from their GP in November 2022, up by 25,000 on the month before.
And following a decision to treat, around 29,000 patients received their first treatment for cancer in November 2022.
