Community Diagnostic Centre's provide patients with a co-ordinated set of diagnostic tests in the community and in as few visits as possible, enabling an accurate and fast diagnosis on a range of clinical pathways. 

The Stoke-on-Trent  Community Diagnostic Centre will transform health services in the area with faster and easier access to diagnostic services for local people.

The centre will be open seven days a week, 12 hours a day, and will provide up to 85,000 tests and scans each year for the community.

These include:

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• CT scans
• Endoscopy
• MRI scans 
• Ultrasound scans
• Psychological sciences; this includes Cardiology tests, Respiratory tests and Sleep tests

The six aims of a CDC are:

1. Improve health outcomes by reaching patients earlier and providing accurate diagnoses of health conditions.
2. Increase the availability of tests and scans.
3. Quicker access to tests and scans.
4. Reduce health inequalities by reducing variation in referrals, access, uptake, experience, and outcomes of diagnostic provision.
5. Deliver better and more personalised patient experience.
6. Support the integration of diagnostic pathways across primary, community and acute hospital care.

Following an exhaustive process which looked at size, location, accessibility, and availability, the old Sainsbury's site in Hanley was chosen due to good public and private transport links providing easy access for some who may otherwise find it difficult to get to the hospital. 

Yes, there will be parking at the CDC, the details of how the carparking will be managed will be made available to patients and staff working at the CDC closer to the CDC opening. 

The CDC is located on Etruria Road in Hanley; it is 12-minute walk from Hanley Bus station, or you can catch the 38, 38A, 39, 39A,104 which stops outside of the site from Hanley Bus station. 

The workforce model for the Stoke-on-Trent Diagnostic Centre will see the creation of 150 new roles in the area that are open to both internal and external staff.
Apprenticeship roles have already been developed, advertised and recruited to, to ensure this workforce will be ready and appropriately skilled at the point the Stoke-on-Trent Diagnostic Centre is operational.

There will also be specialist roles that will be essential to develop through the mobilisation of the Stoke-on-Trent Diagnostic Centre.

Proposed staff rest area

Staff Roadshow

Find out more about the opening of our new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at this staff roadshow, which will explain the purpose and benefits of the CDC, outline its operational impact, and provide clarity on staff roles and how they connect to the new service.

Join us at:
Royal Stoke main atrium - Tuesday 23 September 2025
Royal Stoke outside subway - Wednesday 24 September 2025
County outside the restaurant - Thursday 26 September 2025

Yes, you can bring someone with you. However, they may not be able to accompany you into the examination rooms except in special circumstances. 

No, it will not cause a delay in your appointment, one of the key aims of the CDC is to speed up waiting times for diagnostic tests. 

Where a diagnostic test is required, the GP will make the appropriate referral, all referrals will be screened for patient suitability to be seen at the CDC. You will be informed of where to attend your appoint via a letter. 

The CDC is not an emergency care centre; the CDC will provide patients with access to diagnostic tests that are accessible through GP referrals. Emergency care can be sought from NHS 111 or if it is life threatening, please call 999.