An investigation by openDemocracy has found that dozens of the government’s flagship community diagnostic centres said to be reducing record NHS waits are not even open yet.
The investigation found some of the health centres, known as CDCs, are years away from opening. They could only find evidence of 73 centres that are up and running – and some of those are in mobile units.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) this month claimed 114 centres were open across the country, saying they were helping cut NHS waiting lists by offering more tests for patients. Ministers have also touted the plans as proof that the private health sector can be used to boost capacity in the NHS.
But local NHS hospital trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) responsible for 32 of the CDCs listed as open have said they will not be operational until later this year or even next year.
Full story in openDemocracy, 15 August 2023