New Stoke-on-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre officially opens, bringing tests closer to home

Professor Sir Mike Richards officially opening the Stoke-on-Trent Community diagnostic centre along side [L-R] Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Steve Watkins, Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, Professor Sir Mike Richards, Dr Simon Constable, UHNM Chief Executive, Helen Ashley, Director of Transformation and Strategy and Deputy Chief Executive, Alex Pinches, Head of CDC Programme at NHSE and Elaine Andrews, Deputy Director or Strategy and Transformation.

New Stoke-on-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre officially opens, bringing tests closer to home

University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) has officially opened the new Stoke-on-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), marking a significant milestone in improving access to diagnostic tests for patients across North Staffordshire and surrounding areas.

The centre was formally opened by Professor Sir Mike Richards, Chair of the UK National Screening Committee and former National Cancer Director, who praised the facility as “one of the best community diagnostic centres” he has seen.

The multi million pound centre has been designed to provide patients with quicker, more convenient access to a wide range of diagnostic services closer to home. It will help reduce waiting times while easing pressure on busy acute hospital sites.

Dr Simon Constable, Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to officially open the Stoke-on-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre. It represents a great step forward for the Trust and, most importantly, for the local population, putting diagnostics firmly where people are, rather than requiring them to travel to a hospital for tests. 

“The centre will offer around 180,000 additional tests each year, increasing the number of appointments available for local people. It gives patients greater flexibility in accessing tests and helps to reduce anxiety by providing quicker diagnoses.”

Services available at the Stoke on Trent Community Diagnostic Centre include CT, MRI, X rays, ultrasound, blood tests, and physiological sciences, such as cardiology, respiratory and sleep testing.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, Chair of the UK National Screening Committee and former National Cancer Director in the UK Government's Department of Health who officially cut the ribbon on the centre said: “It is an amazing facility. The centre will make a huge difference to patients with easy parking, good transport links, and an impressive range of tests available.”

Sharon Hodgson, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said: “The NHS should fit around people’s lives, not the other way around, and this brand-new, state-of-the-art centre for Stoke is going to offer convenient tests, checks and scans without a trip to hospital.” 

The centre will be open seven days a week, 12 hours a day, and will provide up to 180,000 tests and scans each year.

The Stoke on Trent Community Diagnostic Centre forms part of the NHS’s wider commitment to transforming diagnostic services by delivering care in community settings, making it easier for people to attend appointments and receive timely results.