A new health facility has opened its doors in a South London community marked by some of the starkest health disparities in the capital. The Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in New Addington, Croydon, represents a significant £14 million investment by Croydon NHS Trust to bring vital services closer to residents.
A Stark Divide in Life Expectancy
The centre's opening highlights a shocking health inequality in the borough. Data reveals that women living in the Fieldway ward of New Addington have a life expectancy a full 14 years shorter than women in Sanderstead, an area located just three miles away. This gap underscores the profound challenges faced by the community, which has long recorded some of the highest levels of health inequality in both Croydon and across England.
Official Opening and Key Services
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, officially inaugurated the centre on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following a soft launch in October. The facility, situated on Chertsey Crescent near the main shopping parade, is built on former council land.
The CDC is designed to provide a wide array of diagnostic tests locally, including:
- X-rays
- CT scans
- Ultrasounds
- Cardiology and respiratory services
An on-site GP practice is already operational, offering blood tests. Full phlebotomy services are scheduled to commence in May. This local access is intended to facilitate earlier diagnosis and faster treatment, relieving pressure on the busy Croydon University Hospital.
Leadership and Community Response
Local figures have warmly welcomed the development. Natasha Irons, MP for Croydon East, stated the centre means her constituents can access vital diagnostic services "on their doorstep," calling it a significant step towards addressing long-standing health inequalities.
Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, emphasised the benefit of bringing high-quality tests closer to patients' homes, enabling quicker checks and faster commencement of treatment.
Croydon Mayor Jason Perry, who visited alongside Civic Mayor Richard Chaterjee and Cabinet Member Cllr Yvette Hopley, praised the project as an exemplar of collaborative working between the council, the NHS Trust, and the local community.
The opening coincides with other planned improvements for New Addington. The area's north is set to receive £20 million over the next decade through the government's Pride in Place programme, focusing on enhancing high streets and improving community safety.
