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More than 400,000 diagnostic tests have been conducted across Sussex's Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in the past year. The CDCs delivered approximately 405,000 tests and scans between April 2024 and March 2025, significantly increasing access to essential health services in the county. The CDCs are designed to provide additional, digitally connected diagnostic capacity within the community.
They offer patients a coordinated set of diagnostic tests, often in a single visit and under one roof, supporting faster and more accurate diagnoses across a range of clinical pathways. By offering a broad range of elective diagnostic services away from busy hospital settings, CDCs help reduce pressure on acute services and improve convenience for patients. There are now eight CDCs operating across Sussex, providing a wide range of diagnostic services including X-rays, ECGs, ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans.
These services play a crucial role in detecting and diagnosing conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness. In March 2025 alone, more than 35,300 diagnostic tests were carried out through the centres. Since their launch in 2021, Sussex CDCs have collectively delivered 731,495 diagnostic appointments, helping to transform the way people access healthcare locally.
By providing services outside of hospital environments, CDCs are helping to reduce waiting times, bring care into communities, and support earlier diagnosis. All of this leads to better outcomes for patients. These centres also play a vital role in tackling health inequalities by being located in accessible areas, making it easier for people who may otherwise face barriers to receive timely care.
Dr James Ramsay, chief medical officer for NHS Sussex, said: "Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) are key to helping us deliver care differently. "It’s about bringing care into the community, as well as offering people the opportunity for earlier diagnosis and treatment. "Delivering over 400,000 tests and scans over the past year is a remarkable achievement, significantly increasing capacity and access for local patients.
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