Major diagnostics review kicked into long grass

There are “no plans to publish” a much-anticipated NHS England review of diagnostic services that had been expected this month, a government source has told HSJ.

The review on diagnostics and community diagnostic centres, a follow-up to Sir Mike Richards’ report in 2020, was due this month ahead of the budget on 30 October, senior figures familiar with the report said.

The original report prompted ministers to pledge £2.3bn worth of funding which involved the development of over 160 CDCs – a key recommendation from the report. But cash for the programme runs out in March 2025.

Diagnostic leaders had been hopeful the follow-up report, which was being overseen by NHSE, would provide fresh funding and focus for the CDCs programme.

However, HSJ understands the review is now unlikely to be published in full and will instead be subsumed into the government’s “10-year health plan”.

A government source told HSJ this week: “There are no plans to publish a second report into diagnostics by [Sir Mike].”

“To develop the 10-year health plan we are going to listen to the public and the people who work in the NHS, because patients and staff must feel the difference in their daily lives. We will announce further details later this year.”

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Source: HSJ, 4 October 2024