Written question WQ88047
- Asked by
- Laura Anne JonesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 11 days
Question
How many community diagnostic hubs have been built since 2021?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
Between 2021 and 2023, we have invested more than £51m to improve local diagnostic facilities across the NHS. The NHS has also worked to roll out rapid diagnostic centres, which are vague symptom clinics which provide GPs with an additional referral option when a person’s symptoms don’t meet the criteria for a cancer referral, but the GP suspects cancer.
Cardiff and Vale UHM will establish its centre this year, giving the Welsh population access to a rapid diagnostic centre.
The development of regional diagnostic hubs is covered in the planning framework for 2023-24 and sets out their establishment as a key requirement. £50m of the £170m recovery fund has been retained to support the delivery or diagnostic hubs and increased regional capacity.
South East Wales is developing plans for a regional hub at a new site in Llantrisant. Discussions are ongoing in South West Wales and North Wales regarding their plans.
The diagnostic strategy was published on 25 April setting out further measures for the recovery and enhancement of diagnostic services.