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The Government is investing £350million in a network of community hubs in shopping centres, stadiums and other settings. Millions of patients will gain access to a wide range of scans and checks to identify conditions, including cancer.
It is predicted that 2.8 million tests will be taken at the hubs in a year, which will reduce pressure on hospitals.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Tackling waiting lists will require new and more innovative ways of delivering services.
“That is why we’re making it easier and more convenient to get checked.”
Patients will be referred to hubs, which will operate seven days a week, by their GPs. The centres will be fully operational by March 2022.
The diagnostic hubs idea was first suggested by former NHS national cancer director Professor Sir Mike Richards.
He said: “The pandemic brought into sharper focus the need to overhaul the way we deliver diagnostic services.
“I am absolutely delighted to see one of the key recommendations of my report becoming a reality.”
Some sites are up and running, including one in Ealing, London. It has already been used by more than 30,000 people in the last year.
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