The North Kent Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) officially opened last week (Thursday 16 October 2025) - the latest high-tech facility NHS Property Services has helped deliver across the country.
The Centre offers a comprehensive array of state-of-the-art diagnostics, including CT and MRI scans, and cardiac physiology measurements to patients throughout Dartford.
The opening was attended by Health Minister Karin Smyth MP, Gravesham MP Lauren Sullivan, Dartford MP Jim Dickson and Jackie Ducker, Chief Customer Officer at NHS Property Services.
During the visit, they toured the new diagnostic suites and heard first-hand how the service is already giving patients quicker access to essential tests and improving the overall care experience.
Jackie Ducker, NHS Property Services Chief Customer Officer, said: “We are delighted to have supported the delivery of this fantastic new facility, which will provide a step-change in the quality and variety of care that our NHS colleagues are able to provide, improving access to diagnostic services for thousands of patients across the local community.
“We’re also proud to be delivering another project which is so clearly aligned with the Government’s key health priorities, to shift from hospital to neighbourhood health services and helping to deliver preventative healthcare, as part of the Ten Year Health Plan.”
Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, said: “The NHS should fit around patients’ lives, not the other way round, and this new Community Diagnostic Centre means the people of North Kent will be able to get checked more quickly, more conveniently, and closer to home.
“Thanks to this government’s investments and reforms, this state-of-the-art centre will offer services 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and they’re making a huge impact on our mission to cut the waiting lists nationally.
“Through our Plan for Change and working with NHS staff, we’re rebuilding our health service and making it fit for the future, by cutting waiting lists and making sure it’s easier for people to access the care they deserve.”
Jim Dickson, MP for Dartford, said: “People in Dartford have busy lives, and this centre is a response to that - backed by a government determined to offer healthcare that fits around people’s lives and meets patients where they are.
“This new facility will build greater capacity in our local healthcare system, ease pressure on hospital services, and help bring waiting lists down in Dartford. I look forward to seeing the benefits it delivers for our community.”
Jonathan Wade, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust Chief Executive, said: “The new North Kent CDC features the latest diagnostic technology and includes purpose-designed clinical spaces, modern imaging suites, and improved patient facilities designed for comfort and accessibility.
“Patients can access a range of diagnostic tests, including MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, phlebotomy and cardiology investigations, all in one convenient community location. This approach helps shorten the pathway from test to treatment and ensures patients are seen in a calm, accessible environment rather than travelling to acute hospitals.”
Dr Tom Clark, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust Chief Medical Officer, said: “The opening was a wonderful occasion; we welcomed partners, colleagues and community representatives and showed them around the new facility.
“We were able to tour the scanning suites, meet the clinical team and hear how the centre will benefit thousands of patients each year. We have been delighted with the positive feedback from our patients so far.”
Consultant medical oncologist Professor Mike Richards was the first National Cancer Director at the Department of Health and led the review of diagnostic services, recommending a major expansion of diagnostic capacity and a new model of service delivery. The CDC concept was proposed by him in 2020.
