Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash and former Health Minister recently chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Diagnostics evidence session into the current state of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs).
During the first session, parliamentarians heard evidence from: Professor Sir Mike Richards, Chair of the UK National Screening Committee; Rhydian Phillips, Director of System Improvement at NHS England; Alex Pinches, Head of CDCs at NHS England; Dr Katharine Halliday, President of the Royal College of Radiologists; Professor Michael Osborn, President of the Royal College of Pathologists; Dr Clive Vandervelde, Clinical Lead for Andover CDC; Dr Tom Oakley, CEO of Feedback Medical Ltd and David Hare MBE, CEO of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network.
Maggie said: “We had a productive evidence session and were fortunate enough to be joined by a wide range of experts from across the CDC sector. The evidence that each of the panellists provided was extremely insightful.
“During the first session we covered a wide range of topics including the progress against Sir Mike Richards’ targets, workforce capacity, equipment provision, equitable patient access, and private sector involvement. I would like to thank all our panellists for joining and providing us with evidence.
“I would also like to thank my fellow parliamentarians for joining us and asking informed as well as challenging questions to the panel. It helped make to a terrific session.
“I very much look forward to our second inquiry session on the future of CDCs, which will be held on July 5, 2023.”
Parliamentarians that attended the first evidence session include: Maggie Throup MP, Paul Bristow MP, Mark Fletcher MP, Lord Bethell and Lord Wigley.
The APPG for Diagnostics aims to highlight the value of diagnostics, promote the diagnostic workforce, and improve diagnostic services by raising awareness of the barriers and solutions to optimising the early and swift diagnosis of diseases, illnesses, and injuries. The APPG for Diagnostics is being supported by the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Radiologists.
More information about the APPG for Diagnostics can be found online here.