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The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust Logo

Community Diagnostic Centres

Services

 Bringing Care Closer to You

At The Dudley Group NHS FT, we’re committed to making it easier and faster for you to get the tests, checks and scans you need. Our Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) are a key part of that commitment.

What is a Community Diagnostic Centre?

A Community Diagnostic Centre is a dedicated space away from our main hospital – Russell Hall Hospital – where you can access a wide range of diagnostic tests under one roof. This can include blood tests, X‑rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans, heart and lung function tests, and other investigations that help clinicians understand your health needs. CDCs are designed to be calm, convenient, and efficient, giving you quicker access to the right tests without the pressures of a busy hospital environment.

Their locations are designed to improve access to these vital tests and also to ease the pressure from our main Hospital sites.

Care Closer to Where You Live

We know that travelling to the main hospital site isn’t always easy. CDCs are located within local communities, making it simpler to attend appointments without long journeys, parking challenges or navigating a large hospital campus. By offering diagnostic services closer to home, we’re helping you fit healthcare around your life—not the other way around.

We currently have CDCs at the following locations:

 

Site Imaging Cardiology diagnostics Other
Corbett MRI, CT, US, X-ray, DEXA Echo, ECG, BP Dermoscopy, Bloods
Guest CT, US, X-ray — Bloods
Brierley Hill Ultrasound ECG, BP Bloods

 

We continue to explore funding opportunities to increase our capacity for diagnostic centres in our communities.

Why Not Having to Visit the Main Hospital Matters

Receiving diagnostic care outside the hospital brings several benefits:

  • Less travel time and easier access for patients and families
  • Shorter waiting times thanks to dedicated diagnostic facilities
  • A more relaxed environment, away from emergency and inpatient activity
  • Fewer delays caused by hospital pressures or urgent clinical demands

It means you can get the answers you need sooner, in a setting designed around your comfort and convenience.

Why We’re Investing in CDCs

The Trust is investing in Community Diagnostic Centres because they are a proven way to reduce waiting lists and speed up diagnosis. By moving high‑volume tests out of the main hospital, we free up space for urgent and specialist care while increasing overall capacity across the system. This investment supports our long‑term goal: ensuring that every patient receives timely, high‑quality care, with faster results and fewer delays. CDCs help us diagnose conditions earlier, start treatment sooner, and improve outcomes for people across Sandwell and West Birmingham.

You can read more about the national strategy regarding CDCs here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/community-diagnostic-centres/