Our portfolio of work includes the following diagnostic programmes and projects that aim to address the key elements of the NHS Long Term Plan:
Implementation of a collaborative imaging network across the 8 Greater Manchester NHS Provider organisations which will strive to deliver better patient care across various clinical and diagnostic pathways, provide system value and address health inequalities across the conurbation.
The programme has been designed to ensure that there is appropriate scrutiny and expertise when making any decision which will impact Greater Manchester patients or services.
Several working groups have been established with subject matter experts from clinical and non-clinical services who can provide expert knowledge and recommendations on a range of issues including:
- Workforce
- Data
- Clinical Standardisation
- Procurement
- Quality
- Artificial Intelligence / Innovation
The GM Collaborative Imaging Implementation Project was a five-year programme which was successfully implemented across the system and was concluded in July 2022. The aim of the project was to:
- provide a unified Radiology Imaging archive independent of the stakeholders viewing and reporting technology platforms
- replace the Trust ageing PACS with modern technology solutions
- improve efficiency and quality by providing real time access to radiological images stored locally
The Government pledged £2.3 billion national investment to open up to 170 Community Diagnostics Centres (CDCs) by March 2025 closer to patients’ homes, helping to diagnose a range of conditions including cancer, heart and lung disease quicker and ensuring patients are treated faster. The new one-stop-shops for checks, scans and tests are on track to provide around 6 million additional tests a year by 2025. The programme is set to continue and expand existing sites or create additional new sites through to 2026. The CDCs are set to play a key role in the Elective Reform strategy set out in January 2025.
CDCs are being created in a variety of settings from existing NHS estates to purpose-built facilities on available land and retail facilities with a combination of NHS and Independent Service Providers delivery models.
Across Greater Manchester there are several CDCs open and offering services:
- Oldham CDC – purpose built facility opened in December 2022
- Manchester and Trafford – open using existing estate at Withington but with plans for a new, linked building as a dedicated CDC which will also expand services offered and capacity
- Bolton – opened in March 2024 on existing NHS estate space and extended available services over the course of 2024 - 2025
- Salford – opened at West One Retail Park in October 2023
- Leigh – opened November 2024 on existing NHS estate developing their Leigh Infirmary site to house increased diagnostic capacity and facilities
- North Manchester – opened April 2024 at North City Family & Fitness Centre in Harpurhey with a number of tests already available but are developing land on site to house MRI & CT scanners which will be co-located there from late Spring 2025
- South-East Manchester – opened August 2024 at Crown Point Retail Park in Denton