Diagnostics
ICSs responded to their questions on the establishment of CDCs. Tackling the Elective Backlog: A Spotlight
Report on the Implementation and Impact of Surgical Hubs and Diagnostic Centres found: l Just two ICSs properly consulted their patient populations on the procedures and equipment used within their surgical hubs.
l 72% of CDCs involved the public or patients in some capacity in their establishment
l Four ICSs (14%) used organisations such as Healthwatch to provide patient engagement and consultation. l Four (14%) did not consult patients at all.
The report warns that patients using Community Diagnostic Centres and surgical hubs are missing out on the latest medical technology. The MTG made the following recommendations: l The Government and NHS England should
Wood Green Community Diagnostic Centre
The Wood Green CDC, run by Whittington Health NHS Trust, is bringing diagnostic tests into a shopping centre in the heart of Haringey. As of 15 October 2023, the CDC has conducted around 57,000 tests, averaging 4,600 a month, which has had a significant impact on health inequalities. Wood Green was approved due to its proximity
to communities with the highest levels of deprivation, its excellent transport links and the low level of diagnostic capacity in the area. Haringey is the 4th most deprived borough in London, with deprivation more concentrated in the north east. There are significant gaps in healthy life expectancy between populations in Haringey: the gap in healthy years of life between richest and poorest deciles is fifteen years for men and seventeen years for women. 72% of patients using the CDC are from the three worst deciles of deprivation, demonstrating the success of placing this site in the area of greatest need. Initially, the CDC has been providing ophthalmology, ultrasound, x-ray and phlebotomy services. The latter two services are drop-ins, providing patients with increased access to these important diagnostic tests. However, Wood Green CDC has now expanded to include MRI and CT diagnostic testing. In January 2023, work began to expand the CDC from one floor to two. The most recent phase includes the addition of
commit to a comprehensive review into the performance, success, failures and cost-effectiveness of surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres.
l This review should include an assessment of the effectiveness of medical technologies within surgical hubs and CDCs, with associated recommendations for the improvement and development of their use, and appropriate long-term funding to ensure their success.
l The Government and NHS England should mandate the proper inclusion and involvement of patients in the future establishment of surgical hubs and CDCs, to ensure they are shaped consistently to meet the needs of the local populations they are serving.
l The Government and NHS England should ensure that appropriate medical technologies are at the heart of the efforts to tackle the backlog. It is vital that they are utilised within surgical hubs and CDCs to improve outcomes for patients and create efficiencies for the NHS.
new imaging facilities, including a CT provided by Siemens Healthineers. “It’s an exciting time to be working in the NHS
with the development of community diagnostic centres, and equally exciting for the community of North Central London as the new CDC opens within The Mall at Wood Green,” states Gemma Walsh, CT/MRI Lead Radiographer at Wood Green NHS Community Diagnostic Centre. “The CDC at Wood Green not only brings CT and MRI diagnostic imaging into the community, making it easy for patients to access, but it also allows GPs to directly refer patients for some imaging examinations. Patients can receive diagnostic imaging without having to attend a main hospital site or wait for a hospital referral. This will allow the NHS to achieve its aims of reducing waiting times for diagnostic imaging and help combat local health inequalities.”
l The Government and NHS England should develop formal platforms and forums for the sharing of best practice between Integrated Care Systems.
Chair of the MTG, Barbara Harpham, said: “Since the pandemic, community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs have emerged as a vital part of our NHS, easing pressure on hospitals and helping to work through the backlog of elective care. “Their potential to go further by utilising the
latest medical technology and innovation should now be a priority. At present, a sizable number of ICSs could be doing more to review their performance in line with best practice, using the latest technology, and adopting innovative new practices found in high performance regions of the NHS. We must ensure that we have a full and accurate understanding of such a pivotal and increasingly important part of our
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www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I March 2024
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