However, it’s all part of a plan the Pambula Hospital Community Engagement Committee believe will ensure the hospital's continuing health.

Southern NSW Local Health District confirmed Pambula Hospital will operate under a new "model of care". That new model is likely to mean fewer beds and a nurse-led emergency service. 

The announcement expected this week follows recommendations made by the community engagement committee after lengthy consultations last year with the community and medical practitioners, as well as years of angst for the Save Our Hospital Inc committee.

The community engagement committee put forward 39 recommendations to the SNSWLHD, which have been passed to Health Minister Jillian Skinner. The most contentious recommendations were around the emergency department and the number of beds.

Committee chairman Les Stahl said the matter is complex, but a sustainable way forward has been found “if the NSW government implements the recommendations”.

“The committee honoured the past, took into account present realities including vested interests, and outlined a vision for the long-term sustainability of Pambula Hospital,” Mr Stahl said.

“While Pambula Hospital will be changing for the next few years, the long-term future of public health services for the Far South Coast communities looks good.  

“Over the next decade the new South East Regional Hospital is planned to ‘ramp up’ to a status which will reduce the number of local residents that will have to make long and disruptive trips to Canberra or Sydney hospitals.  

“This is a huge gain for community members needing advanced hospital care and should free up ambulance times in our region.  

“And in the future with Pambula Hospital not having been closed and sold off, there will be scope to increase health services at Pambula too. It’s a case of short-term pain for long-term gain,” he said.

Pambula Hospital has 16 beds but the recommendation is for a further drop to 12-14, but keeping all rooms open - just with fewer beds in each.