Diagnostic centre has cut waiting times, says NHS

There has been a 17.5% improvement in waiting times for diagnostic tests in Somerset since the county became one of the first places in the UK to trial a new diagnostic centre, the NHS says.

NHS Somerset Foundation Trust says it has reached a "huge milestone" with 500,000 patients who have had tests at the centre in Taunton.

Community Diagnostic Centres are a joint venture involving the NHS, GPs and the private sector.

Programme director David Craig, says to achieve this milestone is down to the "incredible effort and skill" of those involved.

He said the additional investment had "allowed us to grow our diagnostic capabilities from strength to strength, which has been particularly crucial as we recover our waiting times from the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the additional demand of up to 7% every year."

Work is already under way on a new site in Yeovil, which will be the largest in the county.

Currently across England, there are 135 operational Community Diagnostic Centres with more in the pipeline. In Somerset, work is already under way on a new site in Yeovil, which will be the largest in the county.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says the Yeovil Diagnostic Centre is due to open in March and will provide new ways of developing tests and care for patients.

Meanwhile, Mr Craig said they had secured further funding to update and replace some equipment at existing sites to "improve the range" of services.

"The new facilities, equipment and partners have enabled us to expand nine different specialties: cardiology, radiology, ophthalmology, respiratory, phlebotomy, audiology, dermatology, neurology, and endoscopy," he added.