Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward joined the call, telling his own government to drop any plans to part-privatise Shellharbour Hospital.

Mr Ward said that while he had initially been open to exploring the benefits of a public-private partnership (PPP), he had lost patience with the ongoing delays on a decision and lack of information around the proposal.

‘’I’ve been waiting for a decision on Shellharbour Hospital for over 12 months and I think I’ve been patient enough – as have the community and the staff,’’ he said.

‘’Because there hasn’t been able to be a decision made, my recommendation is that the hospital remain a fully public facility.

‘’I’m not in a position to entertain the concept of a PPP anymore ...and it’s my view that the government should proceed itself with the $251 million redevelopment of the hospital.’’

Staff, their unions, and residents, have waged a campaign against the PPP ever since then health minister Jillian Skinner announced in September 2016 that Shellharbour was one of five regional hospitals to be upgraded under a PPP.

Those plans have been abandoned at Bowral, Goulburn and Wyong hospitals while the government is seeking a non-profit operator to build and run Maitland hospital.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said it was his job to deliver the best health outcomes for the community.

‘’Shellharbour Hospital is definitely in need of renewal but the question is whether to proceed with a renewal on the existing site or move to a greenfield site,’’ he said.

‘’We’re still finalising whether it’s possible to do a partnership arrangement with a private or not-for-profit organisation, and whether that produces a better outcomne for the community or not. We’re hoping to have finality very soon.’’

Mr Hazzard reassured residents without private health insurance that they would be able to access the hospital for free under any model.

However Wollongong MP Paul Scully said Illawarra politicians now stood united in their opposition to a PPP.

‘’Time and time again our community have made their views clear – they want their public hospitals and the services provided in them to remain in public hands.

‘’Once again in the Illawarra we are being treated like second-class citizens with the issue being resolved in other hospitals while we wait.’’

Health Services Union NSW secretary Gerard Hayes demanded action, not words. “Until we see a full commitment to a fully public hospital, we believe nothing.’’