Seven new community diagnostic centres are set to open with the aim of giving patients a faster diagnosis.

The new diagnostic centres are opening with the aim of busting the Covid backlogs, diagnosing people more quickly and meeting the future demands of the NHS.

The government plans to roll out 160 new centres by 2025.

The 92 existing community diagnostic centres have already delivered 1.7 million tests, checks and scans. The existing centres are in locations such as football stadiums and shopping centres.

The centres provide a range of diagnostic checks, scans and tests. Patients can get their symptoms checked following a GP referral.

The centres reduce hospital visits and reduce waiting times by diverting people away from hospitals. Hospitals can focus on treating urgent cases and diagnostic centres can focus on tackling the tests and checks backlog.

In Dorset, there is a diagnostic centre on the top floor of Beales Department Store in Poole. The centre has an eye testing centre, breast screening unit and 16 clinical rooms.

The new centres will be opened in Willesden and Wembley in north west London, Leigh in Greater Manchester, St Albans, Lancashire, and Eltham in south east London.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: "Since taking on the role of Health and Social Care Secretary, I have been focussed on clearing the Covid backlog and waiting times. Community diagnostic centres are a vital part of our plan to transform the way we deliver tests, scans and x-rays and ultimately reduce waiting times for patients.

"Along with speeding up diagnosis times, they will also help tackle health disparities – ensuring that people get treated as quickly as possible no matter where they live, with new centres opening from Essex to Manchester."