Construction of a community health space at Muswellbrook Hospital is complete, while the Upper Hunter's state MP has reiterated the town's need for more health services.
The Minns government has announced progress on the community space, which is part of the hospital redevelopment's $45 million third stage.
The space will provide a range of services, including nursing care, child and family healthcare and allied health services.
Community health services will move from the Wiedmann Wing to the new area.
NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said "the new community health space will improve access to essential health services for people across the region".
Mr Park said it would help ensure people have access to health services "more conveniently and closer to home".
"It's fantastic to see the Muswellbrook Hospital redevelopment reach another important milestone," he said.
Labor spokeswoman for Upper Hunter Emily Suvaal said stage three of the Muswellbrook Hospital redevelopment was part of almost $3 billion being invested in regional hospitals and health facilities over four years.
Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell, of the NSW Opposition, said "it's another great step forward for the Muswellbrook hospital".
"This will give us a better space to be able to provide those additional services to the public," Mr Layzell said.
"The community health needs of a town like Muswellbrook are enormous. We struggle with primary healthcare and having doctors."
A new operating theatre suite was recently completed as part of the hospital's redevelopment. Construction of a new sterilisation department is set to begin next year.
Stage one of the hospital redevelopment, which cost $6.5 million, was completed in 2015 and included a new emergency department.
The $21.5 million second stage was completed in 2019, with new renal and infusion unit services, "improved spaces for medical imaging and pathology collection, along with refurbished outpatient areas and oral health services".
Mr Layzell said a hot topic in Muswellbrook was medical imaging.
"We're advocating for a 24-hour CT machine at the hospital. I've met with the minister and talked about that," he said.
"We have a private one in town, but it's only open during normal hours. If you need one at the hospital, you have to be taken by ambulance to town, or they ask people to drive themselves or a relative down.
"After hours, they're put in an ambulance and sent to Maitland."
Last month, the NSW Opposition called for maternity services to be reinstated at Muswellbrook Hospital.
Shadow Minister for Health Sarah Mitchell said at the time that "women in the Upper Hunter are still being forced to drive to Maitland or Newcastle to have their babies."
