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Wakefield Community Diagnostic Centre attracts national interest for its positive local impact
Wakefield’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has once again attracted national attention - this time after being featured on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme. The visit highlighted how the centre is not only transforming access to diagnostic tests and scans for local people, but also helping to revitalise the surrounding retail area, in what is a great example of partnership working between Wakefield Council and Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust.
Located in Westgate Retail Park, alongside several major retailers, the CDC was established to bring health services closer to the community, offering patients quicker, more convenient access to essential diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and blood tests, without the need to travel to hospital.
Since opening, neighbouring shops have noticed a clear increase in footfall, with shoppers visiting before or after their appointments. JYSK, located next door, has seen a real difference. Store Manager, Suzanna Bentley, said: “Weekends are typically our busiest time, but since the CDC opened we’ve noticed busier weekdays and a more diverse range of customers, with many being regulars and coming back with their family and friends. We're smashing our targets so it's great for business.”
The BBC’s visit followed a recent tour of the centre by Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of NHS Providers, who commended Wakefield CDC as an example of how investment in NHS infrastructure can deliver wider social and economic benefits, boosting local business, supporting city centre regeneration, and improving patient care.
This project continues to demonstrate the power of partnership working between the NHS and local authorities to deliver modern, accessible, and community-focused healthcare.
Located in Westgate Retail Park, alongside several major retailers, the CDC was established to bring health services closer to the community, offering patients quicker, more convenient access to essential diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and blood tests, without the need to travel to hospital.
Since opening, neighbouring shops have noticed a clear increase in footfall, with shoppers visiting before or after their appointments. JYSK, located next door, has seen a real difference. Store Manager, Suzanna Bentley, said: “Weekends are typically our busiest time, but since the CDC opened we’ve noticed busier weekdays and a more diverse range of customers, with many being regulars and coming back with their family and friends. We're smashing our targets so it's great for business.”
The BBC’s visit followed a recent tour of the centre by Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of NHS Providers, who commended Wakefield CDC as an example of how investment in NHS infrastructure can deliver wider social and economic benefits, boosting local business, supporting city centre regeneration, and improving patient care.
This project continues to demonstrate the power of partnership working between the NHS and local authorities to deliver modern, accessible, and community-focused healthcare.
If you missed it, you can listen back on BBC Sounds at: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ks2q (segment starts at 2 hours 40 minutes).