BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART
Construction on Muswellbrook Hospital's community health space is now complete.
This $45 million upgrade is the third stage in the hospital's redevelopment, providing a range of services, including nursing care, childcare and allied health services.
Previous stages of development have seen the construction of a new emergency department, renal and infusion unit services, with the next stage to see the development of a new sterilisation department.
The third stage of development aims to relieve pressure off other medical centers, giving Muswellbrook and surrounding areas access to more resources.
However, Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell says more still needs to be done, including the installation of a 24-hour CT imaging service.
"Having a 24-hour one [CT machine] would actually enable the hospital to be able to use that facility all the time," he said.
"There is a lot of money going to Western Sydney, but we need to see regional health and those big investments here as well."
According to the MP, Muswellbrook only has a private CT imaging services, only operational during normal business hours.
He said patients requiring scans at hospital have to be transported via ambulance to Maitland, or are asked to have a relative or themselves drive instead, creating further pressure on the town's paramedic services.
