Experiences of the Purley Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) and New Addington CDC

In March 2025, Healthwatch Croydon was commissioned by Croydon Health Services NHS Trust to better understand the experiences of patients at Purley Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) which is a new set of services launched at Purley War Memorial Hospital from January 2024.

The insights gathered informed the potential needs and unidentified opportunities for the New Addington CDC which opened in July 2025. The team surveyed 120 patients within Purley CDC and sought insight from 50 residents in New Addington, ten from focus group, and 40 from a survey. All insights were undertaken between February and March 2025.

Key Findings

Purley CDC

• Half of the patients were not aware that their tests could be held at Purley CDC, with many appointment locations suggested by their GPs – a quarter of respondents never had a previous diagnostic test in Croydon.
• A third of residents had used Purley CDC for tests previously. Some GPs had not discussed test location options and there was a high variance in appointment waiting times from less than a day to a few weeks.
• Many patients knew of alternative test localities but expected their tests to take place at Croydon University Hospital, nearly 40% were completely unaware of alternative locations.

New Addington CDC

• Most participants felt that blood testing, children’s services, fracture clinic, minor injuries, pregnancy and antenatal, diabetes, social prescribing and early diagnosis, seemed to be missing. There is also uncertainty about if and how some GP services will work and the need for an onsite pharmacy with weekend hours.
• The group agreed that scans were an important service, and the majority would utilise them, this includes X-Rays, CT scans and ultrasounds, with half seeing ECG’s and other services as important.
• Some participants felt services like CAMHS and pediatric services, and public health services such as drug, alcohol and sexual health services could also be included.

Gordon Kay, Healthwatch Croydon Manager, said:

“This insight from patients suggests that nearly all appreciate the services provided at the Purley Diagnostic Centre, and would prefer using services here, as opposed to attending a larger hospital. This supports wider NHS plans to make services closer to the communities they serve. We are glad that this patient insight is being used to support the new facility at New Addington. However, it is clear from what we have heard that needs be better communication of current services at Purely, particularly through GPs. For New Addington residents, there is an equal need for clear communication of what services will be provided, and how the different services will be working together for the benefit of this community.”