A north-west NSW town that was promised it "wouldn't lose anything" in a new multi-million-dollar hospital is planned to have almost 20 fewer beds than it has now.
The Mayor of Gunnedah, Jamie Chaffey, has confirmed Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) has planned to cut the number of beds from 48 to 30.
"We currently have a hospital that has 48 beds in there. We've been told we will not be losing anything; we will only be gaining."
Gunnedah is one of three areas in the New England North West that is getting a new hospital built, but is the only one planned to lose beds.
The member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, has confirmed Glen Innes will receive 29 beds — the same as it has now — and Moree will get two more beds for a total of 52.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates the three Local Government Areas as having roughly the same population in 2020.
Moree has the highest figure at 13,077, Gunnedah is placed at 12,690 while the population of Glen Innes is estimated at 8,873.
Cr Chaffey said 30 beds were not enough to look after its increasing population.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson agreed with the Mayor, and told the ABC if the community did not like the plan, HNELHD needed to "change it".
He said he "did not know" if taking away bed numbers was a trade-off for the new chemotherapy and renal dialysis services promised for the new hospital.
Mr Anderson said despite the two new buildings on the Tablelands getting the same amount — or more — beds, he disagreed that this showed preferential treatment.
"One size doesn't fit all … each area is unique. I don't believe there's preferential treatment being provided anywhere else," he said.
"It's very timely this has been revealed so we can address it now."
Hunter New England Health declined an interview and did not address bed numbers.
It said in a statement there would be no downgrade of "services or staffing at the $53 million redeveloped Gunnedah Hospital".
"We regularly review the demand for health services and plan for future capacity to respond to population modelling and community needs.
"As the redevelopment is still in the design phase, this process is ongoing."
