More checks, tests and scans available out of hours in Milton Keynes

Patients in Milton Keynes can now access vital diagnostic tests and scans out of hours and in the community, with Whitehouse Health Centre opening in the evenings and on weekends for diagnostic appointments, one of 100 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) making the change across England.

The change means patients no longer need to choose between their job and vital health appointments. It comes as part of the Labour Government’s Plan for Change, transforming healthcare and making the NHS fit for the future. 

Community diagnostic centres are a pivotal part of the Plan for Change to transform care, moving it out of hospital and into the community.  By speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the government is reducing pressure on overwhelmed hospitals and putting patients at ease faster. 

Whitehouse Health Centre (or Whitehouse Surgery) is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built Health Centre, which began offering diagnostic services in 2023. Through developer contributions, the city’s Labour Council has been able to invest over £12m in the centre, demonstrating how growth is paying for vital infrastructure in Milton Keynes.

Labour’s MP for Milton Keynes North, Chris Curtis, said “I’m delighted that these new changes will make it easier for people in our city to access care at times more convenient for them - whether that’s young professionals trying to fit appointments around building a career, or busy working parents juggling employment and caring for a family with their own health. Changes like these make a real difference to people’s lives.”

He added, “When I became an MP for my home of Milton Keynes last year, I said it was my number one priority to get our broken NHS back on its feet. While we still have a long way to go, this, alongside other steps like securing funding for a new Women and Children’s Hospital, is making that happen.”