Mr Baird would not be more specific when asked whether the community was any closer to finding out when work to build the Metford hospital would begin and how the facility would be funded.

“The Health Minister [Jillian Skinner] has done a lot of work in relation to that,” he said. “We made a commitment that it would be done and it is our expectation that it’ll be announced very shortly.”

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison said she would have a keen eye on the state budget when it is handed down next week to see how the new hospital featured.

“It would be good if the Premier and minister could treat our community with respect and answer those questions with detail,” she said.