`We welcome the focus in the Government's Our Plan for Patients statement on reducing the backlog.

Introducing quicker, easier access to diagnostic services centred around patients through the ‘one stop shop’ offered by diagnostic community centres will lead to better health outcomes and save lives.

However the setting up and running of the proposed 160  Community Diagnostic Centres, created to support the NHS in carrying out up to 17 million tests by March 2025, will require significant new resources. This will include access to increased pathology services and staffing, together with high quality IT provision and connectivity with other systems such as GP practices if they are to successfully deliver this ambitious target.’

Professor Mike Osborn Past President, 2020–2023