Mr Robertson told the Western Advocate that documents obtained under freedom of information showed the Western NSW Local Health District was facing the largest cuts of all the health districts.

And he added that Bathurst MP Paul Toole wasn’t doing enough to ensure his electorate received its fair share. 

Mr Robertson said the Western LHD had more than $4 million cut from its staffing budget over the past year and faced cuts of $35 million over the next four years.

But Mr Toole responded by saying that Mr Robertson’s answer was not to meet any budgets.

“John Robertson thinks money grows on trees and that there is an unlimited budget for every department across NSW,” Mr Toole said.

The Opposition leader said the government had been working hard to keep information about the budget cuts quiet.

“For instance, they talk about a ‘labour expense cap’ to disguise the fact that they are staff cuts that impact directly on services,” Mr Robertson said.

He said the NSW Government also talked about “savings” and “efficiency strategies” instead of telling it like it is.

“The idea is to cut costs and reduce budgets and what we are seeing is front line services being affected, longer waiting times, and clogged emergency departments,” Mr Robert-son said.

“It became clear to me, in talking to staff at Bathurst, exactly what is going on.”

Mr Robertson said the Government had already cut $4.034m from the staffing budget of the Western NSW LHD and, by applying the same formula, was forecasting cuts of $6.8m in 2013-14, $10.4m in 2014-15 and $13.9m in 2015-16.

He said these cuts were significant compared with many other regions. 

“Obviously the government thinks it can get away with it,” Mr Robertson said.

“They have shown total disregard for regional NSW.

“Paul Toole should be fighting for every cent to be put into health in his electorate.”

Mr Robertson said blame for staffing and bed cuts at Bathurst Base Hospital should not be directed at local health management but, rather, at the Government.

“The health district has received inadequate funding to run its hospitals,” he said.

However, Mr Toole denies there have been any cuts.

He said at Bathurst Health Service there has been an increase in funding from $53 million under Labor in 2012, to $62 million this financial year.

He added the Western NSW Local Health District had seen a $25 million increase.

“There is record funding going into health but if we don’t look at new methods of care, the whole NSW budget will be eaten up by health and there will be no money for roads, schools, or police,” Mr Toole said.

“At the end of the day John Robertson’s answer is basically to never meet a budget and just keep throwing money at everything.

“My concern is to ensure Bathurst Hospital receives the equitable funding it deserves.

“That is why I am pleased the independent review into hospital services has begun.”

Mr Toole said the review will be conducted by a senior doctor and senior nurse from outside the area.

It is expected to conclude in January.