Patients in Hull West and Haltemprice are set to receive quicker tests and scans closer to home, as part of a major £237 million government investment in Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs).
Hull and East Yorkshire will be among 36 areas across England to see new or expanded CDCs, aimed at boosting diagnostic capacity and helping patients access care more quickly without needing to travel to hospital.
The funding forms part of a wider £26 billion annual investment in the NHS, which has already contributed to record levels of diagnostic activity. In 2025 alone, the NHS in England carried out nearly 30 million tests and scans, the highest number on record.
The new investment will support both the creation of new CDCs and the expansion of existing sites, equipping them with modern facilities such as MRI, CT and ultrasound scanners. These centres are designed to bring services into local communities, with many located in easily accessible places like shopping centres and high streets, and offering extended opening hours.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the expansion marked “the biggest increase in NHS diagnostic capacity in a generation,” adding that earlier diagnosis is key to improving outcomes.
“I was fortunate that my own cancer was caught early,” he said. “But that shouldn’t come down to luck. These new centres will help ensure more people get diagnosed sooner and treated faster.”
Local MP Emma Hardy said the investment was already making a difference in the area.
“Residents are telling me how much easier it is to access tests and scans locally,” she said. “This expansion will build on that progress and ensure people in Hull West and Haltemprice get the high-quality care they deserve.”
Across England, 32 existing CDCs will be upgraded, with 17 undergoing major physical expansion and 15 receiving targeted improvements such as new equipment or specialist services including respiratory care, audiology and ophthalmology. Four entirely new centres are also set to open in 2026/27.
Community Diagnostic Centres offer a wide range of services, including imaging and routine tests, and are designed to reduce pressure on hospitals while making care more convenient for patients.
The latest round of investment is expected to further increase diagnostic capacity and support the NHS in reducing waiting times, with some improvements coming into effect as early as this year.