Diagnosis

The Government is committed to expanding diagnostic capacity as part of improving National Health Service productivity and reducing waits for patients. The Spending Review 2025 included £2.3 billion to transform diagnostic services in support of the Elective Reform Plan, National Cancer Plan and 10-Year Health Plan. This investment will boost diagnostic capacity in providers to meet demand from inpatients, as well as urgency and emergency care, and will support the digitisation of diagnostic services to deliver significant productivity gains.

This will help ensure that inpatients receive the tests they need when they need them, supporting faster diagnosis, treatment and discharge. We have also demonstrated our commitment to transforming diagnostic services through this £2.3 billion investment, which will provide the NHS with the tools it needs to deliver an additional 9.5 million tests by 2029.

Alongside this, community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are expanding access to tests closer to home and helping to free up hospital capacity. Of the 171 centres already open, 32 centres will be expanded and improved with new scanning equipment, outpatient clinic space and additional testing facilities, backed by £237 million of government investment. In line with the Elective Reform Plan, CDCs are also expected to open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, delivering more same-day tests and consultations and an expanded range of tests.