Janine GriffithsThe Community Diagnostic Centre at Seacroft Hospital is set for a major expansion after securing £20 million in national funding aimed at increasing access to diagnostic tests for patients across Leeds.
The project will see new facilities added to the centre, including two MRI scanners, expanded phlebotomy services and additional treatment rooms. The centre is operated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with services at the existing Community Diagnostic Centre continuing throughout the building work.
Craige Richardson, Deputy Chief Executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is fantastic news for patients in Leeds. Once complete, the extended centre will provide tens of thousands of extra diagnostic tests each year, helping patients get faster answers for conditions such as cancer, heart and lung disease.
“This expansion will bring more care closer to home, particularly benefiting communities in Leeds where health needs are greatest.”
The Seacroft centre opened in 2024 and currently provides a range of diagnostic services including blood tests, blood pressure checks, sleep studies, self-request chest X-rays, ultrasounds, X-rays, electrocardiograms and echocardiograms.
It is one of three Community Diagnostic Centres in Leeds, alongside centres in Armley and Beeston. The facilities are designed to make testing more accessible by allowing patients to access services closer to where they live rather than travelling to larger hospital sites.
According to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the centres help reduce pressure on major hospitals and support faster diagnosis and treatment by improving access to testing.
Patients referred by GPs or hospital care teams can be directed to the most convenient location for their diagnostic tests, including their local Community Diagnostic Centre, while retaining the option to attend a GP practice or major hospital.
A planning application for the extension is due to be submitted shortly. Before it is lodged, local residents are being invited to view and comment on the proposals as part of a public consultation process.
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