Above: Dr Ramsey Awad, Executive Director Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability at Hunter New England Local Health District.

There seems to be some confusion among the region's top health bureaucrats in Newcastle about the reason why Muswellbrook Hospital doesn't have a CT scanner.

We ran a story yesterday saying a promise to install three phase power as part of Stage Two upgrade works at the facility several years ago went unfulfilled.

This was not denied when the Hunter Valley Newsroom interviewed the senior official responsible for infrastructure and planning at Upper Hunter hospitals.

But now we have been contact by the Hunter New England Local Health District to say "Muswellbrook Hospital already has the electrical infrastructure and power supply to run a CT scanning machine.

A spokesperson said "The L-H-D it is currently investigating whether a CT is required at Muswellbrook Hospital by looking at service needs, data projections and cost feasibility.

The statement went on to say "This is separate to the 45-million-dollar Stage Three Upgrade Project."

When asked when this assessment will be completed we were told there was no specific date at this time.

Image: Darren Cutrupi