What is a diagnostic and treatment centre?
A unit providing fast pre-booked routine surgery or diagnostic tests for NHS patients. The centres have traditionally focused on medical specialities which have the highest hospital waiting lists such as orthopaedics and ophthalmology. The Department of Health boasts that the throughput of patients at these centres is eight times higher than in an NHS hospital because the centres can focus on single procedures in a purpose-built unit. So far more than 120,000 patients have been treated in diagnostic and treatment centres (DTCs). When did the first ones open? The government announced plans for a programme of DTCs in April 2002 in a bid to reduce waiting lists and offer more choice to patients. So far 29 have been opened. Another 17 are due to open by this summer. Are all the centres run by the NHS? No. In December 2002 the government decided to invite the private sector to bid for centre contracts. The first three privately-run centres taking NHS patients were opened by October 2004. A
