Health Minister Mike Nesbitt officially opened the Rapid Diagnosis Centre (RDC) at Whiteabbey Hospital, a service designed to deliver earlier cancer diagnoses, ensure faster access to treatment, and improve outcomes for patients.

The facility is a key part of the NI Reset Plan, driving the long-term transformation of health and social care services across Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the official opening, the Health Minister said: "Rapid Diagnostic Centres are already making a profound difference to people's lives. They are helping patients receive answers more quickly, providing reassurance for many and enabling faster treatment for those who need it most. I want to thank the clinical teams for the compassionate and expert care they deliver every day.

"Today marks a proud milestone, but my focus is firmly on the future. With the Vague Symptom Pathway now a fully regional service, and with investment underway to expand diagnostic capacity and strengthening our imaging workforce, we are building a health service that can deliver earlier diagnoses and better outcomes for more people across Northern Ireland. I remain committed to securing the funding and reform we need to make that vision a reality." The specialist clinic was established in 2022 to help reduce cancer diagnosis times and improve patient outcomes alongside a similar unit in the South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon. Starting off as a pilot accepting GP referrals, the service has expanded over time and now sees patients from right across Northern Ireland who benefit from co-ordinated examinations and investigations based on their needs, all within a one-stop setting.

In addition to the Vague Symptom Pathway, investment in RDCs has created additional CT and MRI imaging capacity. During 2025/26 this is expected to provide an additional 8,973 CT scans and 4,913 MRI scans targeting those patients who have been waiting longest following red flag and urgent referrals.

Along with rapid reporting of results, clinicians can make onward referrals to appropriate specialties for patients who require further investigation or treatment. The facility is now complete with a state-of-the-art CT scanner surrounded by ceiling and wall mounted lights boxes boasting sky and ocean images to put patients at ease.

The Rapid Diagnosis Centre is a key part of the NI Reset Plan, ensuring patients benefit from earlier diagnosis and more timely treatment while driving the long-term transformation of health and social care services across Northern Ireland.