What is the effectiveness of community diagnostic centres: a rapid review

The COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted diagnostic services in the UK and globally. This exacerbated the rapid rise in demand for diagnostics that existed before the pandemic, resulting in significant numbers of patients requiring various diagnostic services and increased waiting times for diagnostics and treatment. In 2021, community diagnostic centres were launched in England. As diagnostic services account for over 85% of clinical pathways within the NHS and cost over £6 billion per year, diagnostic centres across a broader range of diagnostic services may be effective, efficient, and cost-effective in the UK health sector. This rapid review aimed to identify and examine the evidence on the effectiveness of community diagnostic centres.

Read the full report, view the infographic or read the publication in the International Journal of Public Health