The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diagnostics

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diagnostics

The APPG for Diagnostics has not been reconstituted in the new Parliament and will remain inactive for the foreseeable future.

The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) continue to highlight the value of diagnostics, promote the diagnostic workforce, and improve diagnostic services by raising awareness of the barriers and solutions to optimising the early and swift diagnosis of disease, illnesses and injuries.

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The success of efforts to tackle the backlog, elective recovery plans, and levelling up all depend on diagnostics. Diagnostic activity forms part of over 85% of patient pathways, making it central to a functioning health system. Better patient outcomes depend upon an early diagnosis, further demonstrating the importance of the diagnostic sector.

Community Diagnostic Centres Inquiry 

Download the report from the APPG for Diagnostics’ inquiry into Community Diagnostic Centres. 

Summary of findings

Progress against targets

NHSE and the government have made strides in delivering the CDC programme, approving 174 CDC sites and opening one in each Integrated Care System (ICS). However, concerns persist about unequal geographic distribution and funding constraints for future expansion.

Analysis of CDC activity reveals a slow pace, with only around 5 million tests conducted since July 2021 against a target of 17 million by 2025. Collaboration with the private sector has expanded services, but persistent high demand and limited capacity pose ongoing challenges, emphasising the need for continuous scrutiny and transparency from NHS England to assess the impact on patient outcomes.

Location of CDCs

Embedding CDCs in the heart of communities, after successful public engagement, improves access to diagnostic services – especially for those less likely to seek healthcare. CDCs are strategically boosting diagnostic capacity in underserved communities, helping to reduce health disparities. However, questions remain over how many CDCs are truly community-based, with 5.2% and 41% of approved CDC sites located on acute hospital and community hospital estates, respectively. NHS budget deficits, high upfront costs and risks with privately renting retail spaces limit CDC placement in community hubs. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial for ICSs to make the 'brave' choice of placing CDCs where they can significantly impact community healthcare.

Right tests, checks and scans

CDCs provide essential diagnostic services, encompassing imaging, physiological measurement and pathology to meet high healthcare demand. Additional services, tailored to meet local needs, have and should be integrated to establish CDCs as true 'one-stop-shops' for patients. Unfortunately, a lack of data and research limits the assessment of the programme’s effectiveness in achieving this goal.

Physical and digital infrastructure

Although CDCs are largely equipped with up-to-date machines, crucial for accurate and efficient diagnostic procedures, there are huge gains to be made by innovating the digital infrastructure within CDCs. Digital tools, such as the iRefer tool and NHS App, are vital to streamlining diagnostics, improving efficiency and patient engagement. Unfortunately, despite pilot projects showing significant benefits, challenges in basic infrastructure, data sharing and inconsistent digital advancements persist, underscoring the need for additional funding for robust digital infrastructure.

Workforce

Ongoing staff shortages, demonstrated by shortfall figures and reports of unmanageable workloads, compounded by insufficient workforce planning and funding, limit CDC effectiveness. Proposed workforce solutions include acute/CDC rotation models, international recruitment, 'grow your own' initiatives and private sector collaboration, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Ultimately, there is an urgent need to expand the diagnostic workforce in line with growing patient demand.