Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are to be evaluated against their activity plans and aims within the 2024/25 financial year, according to NHS England.
In new guidance on the planning, design and implementation of CDCs, NHS England said its focus was on ‘the full opening and development of these sites’ so they can deliver up to 9 million tests each year by the end of 2024/25.
Currently, CDCs have delivered over 9 million tests, checks and scans since they were established in 2021.
The guidance said: ‘All systems have been supported to have in place at least one standard or large CDC, and in 2024/25 we will monitor and evaluate their impact against activity plans and stated aims.’
There are a minimum set of core tests for standard CDCs, including MRIs, CT scans and phlebotomy, as well as optional tests that can be added where appropriate and a priority locally, including mammography, dermoscopy and audiology services. Screening services can also be ‘considered’, according to the guidance, if agreed and funded locally with screening commissioners.
NHS England added that it would be refining the revenue allocation process in its ‘next steps’.
It said: ‘We will focus on refining the revenue allocation process and support delivery of the maximum amount of activity to meet system performance needs. Together NHS England and systems will monitor and track delivery against allocated capital and revenue budgets and share best practice.
‘We will evaluate programme delivery and lessons learnt and use this information to shape next steps and identify future priorities for CDCs.’
It comes after recent research from Healthwatch England found that patients were ‘overwhelmingly positive’ about their experiences with CDCs. Some however reported difficulties accessing the services and that patients were not involved enough in the planning and evaluating of services.
Healthwatch called on NHS England to adopt a ‘proactive approach’ to capturing and amplifying feedback.
