Patients in England given more access to crucial health checks out of hours

Patients can access community diagnostic centres through a referral from their GP or clinical teams at hospitals. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA

Patients in England now have greater access to important tests such as MRI scans and endoscopies in the evenings and weekends, the government has said, after increasing the number of community diagnostic centres (CDCs) offering out of hours services.

There are 170 CDCs operating in England, which are often in shopping centres, football stadiums and on university campuses. Patients can access them through a referral from their GP or clinical teams at hospitals.