Community Diagnostic Centres

Local centres offering tests and scans closer to home, including X-rays, CT and MRI scans.

Getting tests and scans closer to home

Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) are NHS centres where people can have tests, checks and scans closer to home.

They help doctors find health problems earlier, reduce the need to travel to hospital and support faster diagnosis and treatment.

Community Diagnostic Centres are part of the NHS commitment to providing more care in local communities and making it easier for people to access the tests they need.

What services are available?

Services vary between centres, but may include:

  • Blood tests
  • X-rays
  • Ultrasound scans
  • MRI scans
  • CT scans
  • Heart tests
  • Lung and breathing tests
  • Hearing tests
  • Camera tests to look inside the body
  • Other specialist diagnostic tests

Not every service is available at every location.

Community Diagnostic Centre locations in Essex

Community Diagnostic Centres are available across Essex.

Please note that not all services operate throughout the centre’s opening hours.

Braintree Community Diagnostic Centre

Address: St Michael’s Hospital, Chadwick Drive, Braintree, CM7 2AL
Opening hours: 8am to 8pm, seven days a week

This site is operated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Southend Community Diagnostic Centre

Address: Victoria Shopping Centre, Chartwell Square, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 5SP
Opening hours: 8am to 8pm, seven days a week

This site is operated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Thurrock Community Diagnostic Centre

Address: Thurrock Community Hospital, Long Lane, Grays, RM16 2PX
Opening hours: 8am to 8pm, seven days a week

This site is operated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Pitsea Community Diagnostic Centre

This site is due to open in summer 2027 and will operated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

Clacton Community Diagnostic Centre

Address: Clacton and District Hospital, Tower Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1LH
Opening hours: 8am to 8pm, seven days a week

This site is operated by East Suffolk and North East Essex NHS Foundation Trust

West Essex Community Diagnostic Centre

Address: St Margaret’s Hospital, The Plain, Epping, CM16 6TN
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8am to 7.30pm and Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 4.30pm

This site is operated by The Princess Alexandra NHS Hospital Trust

Herts and Essex Community Diagnostic Centre

Some people living in west Essex may be offered appointments at the Herts and Essex Community Diagnostic Centre.

Address: Herts and Essex Community Hospital, Haymeads Lane, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 5JH
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8am to 7.30pm and Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 4.30pm

This site is operated by The Princess Alexandra NHS Hospital Trust

How do I book an appointment?

Community Diagnostic Centres are not walk-in services.

If you need a test or scan, your GP, hospital doctor or another healthcare professional will refer you to the most appropriate service.

You will be contacted directly with details of your appointment.

Why are Community Diagnostic Centres important?

Community Diagnostic Centres help to:

  • Bring services closer to where people live
  • Reduce waiting times for tests and scans
  • Help diagnose health problems earlier
  • Reduce trips to hospital
  • Improve patient experience
  • Support faster access to treatment when needed

By making tests and scans easier to access, Community Diagnostic Centres help people get the right care at the right time.

Find out more

If you have questions about a test, scan or appointment, please contact the healthcare professional who referred you or the service that arranged your appointment.