Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System is looking into the right approach to transform the way they provide diagnostic tests for their local population.
New measures will dramatically give greater access to tests, reduce waiting times and the risk of cancellation at short notice, so improving patient experience and health outcomes – including cancer and other serious conditions.
As part of the plans, the NHS group is calling on local people to take a survey and have their say about what they would like to be provided at the centres.
Community diagnostic centres (CDC) will transform how services such as MRI scans, ultrasounds, X-rays and blood tests are carried out for local people. The centres will pave the way for an enhanced patient experience that will offer multiple tests at the same time, making it much easier for people to get tested and provide faster results meaning lives can be saved and interventions can happen sooner.
The centres will include services across: imaging, including CT, MRI, ultrasound and X-ray; physiological measurement, including ECGs, blood pressure monitoring and lung function tests; and pathology, such as phlebotomy, simple biopsies and urine testing.
Dr James Ramsay, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Diagnostic and Cancer Clinical Lead, said: “New Community diagnostic centres will be a gift to the public. They will ultimately enable patients to access a higher quality of care with a more efficient service.
"It will provide faster access to life-saving tests, helping to improve patient experience and reduce wait times. This new pathway will offer a one-step approach that is user-friendly and help us to commit to improving patient outcomes and experiences."
For more information on how to take part in the survey, click here.
