Despite the state government’s penchant for keeping silent on important issues – particularly in the Labor-dominated Hunter – whispers have trickled out about the long-awaited Metford facility.

Until last month, rumours about a public-private partnership only gave Health Minister Jillian Skinner another chance to sidestep questions put to her on behalf of the voting public.

Then, the government announced in September it would look for a private sector partner to build and run the hospital.

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, it appears the ‘pollie speak’ has also covered (until this week) something that would be a kick in the guts for Hunter residents and an embarrassment to the government if it became reality. A confidential departmental briefing document obtained by Fairfax Media indicated the hospital could have 180 fewer beds than promised by 2022.

So, in the past month, we have learned that rather than a 450-bed publicly run new hospital, we could instead have a much smaller facility run by a private operator.

This is not the grand new public hospital the government promised.

Mrs Skinner said on Tuesday the hospital would have “upwards of 350” beds – but that would still mean we are being short-changed. And it raises the question: what should we believe?

To make matters worse, the Australian Medical Association has joined the chorus of voices who have a bone to pick with the government over its plan. Speaking on behalf of Hunter doctors, the AMA says the government hasn’t properly consulted with the respected medical professionals who work at the coal face every day to ask them which services they believe are essential.

The promise of a new hospital is something that should make this community jump up and down with excitement. But if the government isn’t asking Hunter doctors what the region needs medically and is seizing any chance to cut costs by enlisting a private operator, it’s unlikely we are going to end up with the hospital we need.

Before any contracts are signed or any ground is broken, the government needs to be transparent about its intentions and listen to community feedback – good and bad. Given this government’s expertise at dancing around issues, that’s a tall order.