The government has committed to rolling out 170 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) across England by 2025. The centres aim to provide earlier diagnoses for patients through easier, faster, and more direct access to the full range of diagnostic tests needed to understand patients’ symptoms.

£25 million has been allocated by NHS England as part of the national scheme to develop Slough CDC.

The new Slough CDC will be developed on an unused and recently demolished area at the northwest of the Upton Hospital site as a new standalone facility following national investment.

An options appraisal was carried out in Slough considering a few options, but Upton Hospital was deemed the best as this is an existing healthcare facility in close proximity to the town centre, with good public transport links.

We received the planning permission for the new CDC in March 2024 by Slough Borough Council, with work beginning on site from October 2024.

Five vacant buildings were demolished in early 2024 on part of the Upton Hospital site through planning permission granted in July 2023.

Our business case for the new Slough CDC was submitted in 2024, and in March we were granted planning permission for this new build. All plans and designs have been submitted, and construction will start in October 2024. The project will use a rapid modular design, with most of the structure built off-site while construction begins on-site. In spring 2025, the modular frame will be delivered and assembled. After that, the building’s exterior and interior will be completed, along with landscaping around the site.

The Slough CDC is due to open in late 2025.

We will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum throughout the building works. Staff and people in the neighbouring area will be kept informed of any upcoming disruptive works and points of contact will be provided for both NHS Property Services and the contractor to report issues. All services will run as normal.

Read this letter for information on the construction process, potential disruptions and who to contact if you are a local resident with any concerns. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

The site will be fully hoarded to restrict access to the construction area. There will also be a full health and safety plan implemented by the contractor to ensure all staff, patients and public are kept safe throughout.

The development of the CDC at the Upton Hospital site in Slough is being led by Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust runs Frimley Park, Heatherwood, and Wexham Park hospitals, Farnham (community) Hospital and Heathlands Intermediate Care Unit, as well as providing additional services from other sites.

Once open, the site will be easily accessible with both pedestrian access from Slough town centre and vehicle access with car parking provided.

It is approximately a 10-minute walk from Slough railway station, with nearest bus stops a short five-minute walk away. A car park will also be available on the site, with additional disabled spaces.