Transforming the NHS
NHS Community Diagnostic Centres in Birmingham are now open for tests and scans 7 days a week
Making your diagnosis easier and faster
People across Birmingham can now get quicker diagnosis at NHS Community Diagnostic Centres, our new NHS one stop shops for check, tests and scans.
These centres will mean problems being spotted sooner so they are easier to treat.
If you get an invite to one of the these services, please make sure you read it carefully, attend as planned or rearrange if you need to.
Part of our £8 billion national investment in your NHS.
Your local NHS Community Diagnostic Centres in Birmingham
Cannock NHS Community Diagnostic Centre
Address: Cannock Chase Hospital, Brunswick Road, Cannock WS11 5XY
Telephone: 01543 572757 ext 66546
Opening hours: Daily from 8am-8pm
Services available: Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, Flexi Sigmoidoscopy
Corbett NHS Community Diagnostic Centre
Address: Corbett Outpatient Centre, 24 John Corbett Drive, Amblecote, Stourbridge DY8 4AP
Telephone: 01384 244722 ext 244786
Opening hours: Daily from 8am-8pm
Services available: CT, MRI, Ultrasound, X-ray, CT Colonography
Washwood NHS Community Diagnostic Centre
Address: Washwood Heath Health & Wellbeing Centre, 4 Clodeshall Road, Birmingham B8 3SN
Telephone: 0121 371 2000
Opening hours: Daily from 8am-8pm (exclusive for MRI scanning)
Services available: Only MRI at present
What to expect from your visit to an NHS Community Diagnostic Centre
Before your appointment
Once you have your appointment date don’t forget to check where your centre is located, how to best get there and to bring your appointment letter on the day, if you have one.
On arrival at the centre, you will be greeted and booked in by the receptionist.
Preparing for your scan
Once you are booked in, you will then be taken by a nurse to the waiting area where a radiographer or imaging assistant will meet you and help prepare for the scan.
Preparation can vary with some scans requiring water to be drank prior or an injection.
During your scan and your results
All scans require an ID check and a safety questionnaire to be conducted by the staff.
The radiographer will then explain the procedure and will support you through the scan.
Your results will be sent back to the referring specialist or your GP within 2 weeks.
What you need to know about your NHS Community Diagnostic Centre
Whether you have an appointment at your local NHS Community Diagnostic Centre or it’s the first time you are hearing about it, we want you to understand how the centres work and feel prepared for your appointment, as well as feel comfortable to speak to your GP about being referred to your local centre.
What is a NHS Community Diagnostic Centre?
- NHS Community Diagnostic Centres are state of the art one-stop-shops for checks, scans, and tests that are open 7 days a week in the centre of your community, to support staff to diagnose and treat people across Birmingham quicker.
How long will my test, scan or check take?
- Your appointment time can vary depending on the type of scan, however the majority of scans can be completed within 30 minutes (the actual time on the scanners can be much less).
What do I need to bring with me?
If you have an appointment, please bring the following with you:
- Your appointment letter (if you have one)
- A face covering, unless you cannot wear one for a health or disability reason
Can I refer myself to a NHS Community Diagnostic Centre?
- Your GP or specialist will be able to refer you to a centre, so you can access a range of life-saving checks closer to home rather than having to travel to a hospital.
At what times are appointments available?
- Appointments at your local centre are available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
Can I rearrange my appointment?
- To rearrange your appointment you need to contact the appointments team using the number on your appointment letter. If a letter is not available you should contact the NHS Community Diagnostic Centre Switchboard.
What kind of tests will I be able to do at my local NHS Community Diagnostic Centre?
You will be able to have a range of tests, checks and scans at your local centre. At the moment, the following tests are being performed:
- Cannock Chase NHS Community Diagnostic Centre: Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, Flexi Sigmoidoscopy
- Corbett NHS Community Diagnostic Centre: CT, MRI, Ultrasound, X-ray, CT Colonography
- Washwood NHS Community Diagnostic Centre: Only MRI at present. When fully operational there will be Plain Film X-ray, Ultrasound, Echocardiography, Electrocardiogram, Phlebotomy, Lung Function tests.
Could I have a chaperone during my appointment?
- Chaperones may be available to support you outside of the scan rooms, however we ask that the people attend on their own whether possible so as to maximise social distancing. Unfortunately, chaperones cannot accompany the patient in the scanners for safety reasons.
David’s CT scan
David was invited to undergo a CT scan on his abdomen after bowel surgery.
“It’s a great facility – and only four miles up the road for me. I saw the consultant on Wednesday and she sent the form through for a CT scan and I got a telephone call on Friday afternoon asking me to come in straight away at 4.20pm.
“She made it happen urgently – no doubt along with other urgent ones. They said I could come along today (Wednesday), one of two slots on Saturday or on Sunday, so they can get you in very quickly.”
Dawn’s scan
Dawn was scanned after being referred from her GP when she was suffering pain in her neck which caused issues with her shoulder, plus pain in her arm.
She said: “I only went to see my doctor on Monday and they telephoned me to come today (Wednesday) so I was surprised and over the moon to be seen so fast – I was expecting to wait a couple of months for an appointment. I’m really pleased – the speed at being seen has been fantastic.
“It’s a really lovely place, easy to find and everyone is really friendly. I would really recommend it. The scan only took 10 minutes, the scanner wasn’t noisy and they make you feel comfortable.”
My Planned Care
To support you while you wait for a hospital consultation, treatment or surgery, the NHS has launched the My Planned Care platform.
Check on wait times in Birmingham and access information and support while you wait by clicking the link below.
