Patients in England given more access to crucial health checks out of hours

The UK government has announced that 100 community diagnostic centres in England are now operating seven days a week, providing patients with greater access to crucial health checks, such as MRI scans and endoscopies, outside of regular business hours. These centres, which are often located in convenient public spaces like shopping centres, football stadiums, and university campuses, offer a range of diagnostic services that patients can access through referrals from their GPs or hospital clinical teams. The expansion of operating hours aims to improve the availability of these important health checks and reduce waiting times for patients. The government's initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare services and accessibility in England, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased availability of community diagnostic centres with extended hours is expected to benefit patients and improve overall healthcare outcomes.