Community Diagnostic Centre services
Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) provide patients with quicker and easier access to a range of diagnostic tests, helping to support faster diagnosis and treatment.
Local residents are already benefiting from tests at the facility, including blood tests, x-rays, MRI and ultrasound scans.
This page outlines the services currently available at the CDC with details on what each test involves, who it is for, and how patients are referred.
Spirometry
Our expanded respiratory clinic can now offer patients with breathing difficulties vital lung tests to help diagnose conditions such as asthma and COPD sooner.
First seizures (children and young people)
This pathway is for children and young people and includes MRI, ECG and fast track routes for EEG alongside enhanced specialist triage, safety netting, clinical review and digital home video transfer systems.
Unsedated MRI tests are undertaken in selected children and young people with epilepsy or seizures.
12 lead ECG is undertaken in children with convulsive seizures or syncope.
EEG is facilitated in those with suspected epilepsy.
Patients will be referred by a Sherwood Forest Hospitals paediatrician after presenting to their services in the usual ways; either by visiting the Emergency Care Department or a GP referral.
Parents and carers will be contacted by a specialist nurse alongside the investigations to support them through the pathway and some children will also be invited to attend a consultant led first seizure clinic.
Breathlessness and suspected asthma (children and young people)
This service provides breathing tests and support for children and young people who are experiencing symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing, persistent cough or chest tightness.
The aim of the service is to help identify whether symptoms may be related to asthma and to support families in understanding and managing their child’s respiratory health.
This is a diagnostic service so tests will be carried out on the day. Please allow 60-90 minutes for appointments.
FeNO is a simple test where your child blows slowly into a machine. It measures nitric oxide in the breath, which can indicate inflammation in the airways, often seen in asthma.
Spirometry measures how much air your child can breathe in and out and how quickly they can blow air from their lungs. This helps the nurse assess lung function and breathing problems.
Preparing for the test
To help ensure accurate results:
- Your child may be asked to avoid using certain inhalers before the appointment
- Avoid caffeine (such as cola, tea, coffee, or energy drinks) before the test
- Avoid foods high in nitrates, such as beetroot or spinach, before FeNO testing
- Avoid strenuous excercise before the appointment
- Avoid large meals immediately before the test
- Wear comfortable clothing.
If your child needs their inhaler for symptoms before the appointment, please use it as needed and inform the clinic.
What happens at the appointment?
At the appointment, a children's respiratory nurse specialist will talk with you about your child’s symptoms, medical history and any current medication.
Your child may be asked to complete breathing tests to assess how their lungs are working. These may include:
- FeNO testing – measures inflammation in the airways
- Spirometry with bronchodilator reversibility – lung function is tested before and after using a reliever inhaler to see if breathing improves.
The tests are safe, non-invasive and don't take too long to complete , although they may need to be repeated to ensure accurate results.
After the tests, the nurse specialist will discuss the results and next steps with you.
If asthma is diagnosed, your child may receive:
- An individual asthma action plan
- Advice and education on managing asthma
- Support with inhaler technique
- Treatment if required.
Children five years or older are usually referred to this service by a GP or healthcare professional if further breathing tests are needed.
New services
Once the facility building is complete, the new purpose-built facility will offer thousands of tests every week, helping patients get quicker diagnoses in one visit.
We will update this page when new services are available.
