The CDC is expected to carry out almost 40,000 tests and checks in its first year, which could mean around 200,000 fewer patient journeys to East Surrey Hospital over the next five years.

Andrew Hines, chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: ‘Helping thousands more patients access faster tests and checks through our new community diagnostic centre in Redhill is a fantastic way to improve services for local people. It responds to the rising demand for diagnostic testing in our communities, whilst helping to reduce waiting times for tens of thousands of local patients every year in line with the NHS 10-year plan.

‘Quicker and more efficient patient access also means we can start treatment for the most serious illnesses such as cancer sooner - ensuring more of our patients benefit from earlier diagnosis and better outcomes - which will also help reduce demand and waiting times for local emergency care in the coming years.

‘This has been a really important project for the trust and I want to thank Surrey Heartlands ICB and the Belfry Shopping Centre for working with us on delivering a much-needed new service to our local community.'

The NHS England funded centre builds on the trust's existing community diagnostics services which were launched at Crawley Hospital in April 2023, with full opening scheduled for this year.

There are over 170 CDC centres in England.