In what’s been touted as a ‘’win for people power’’, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced on Thursday that plans to redevelop Wyong Hospital under a public-private partnership (PPP) had been abandoned.

‘’After careful assessment of expressions of interest from operators, the NSW Government has decided on a government-led approach for this significant upgrade,” Mr Hazzard said.

This is the second backflip by the government on its announcement last September that five regional hospitals –  Shellharbour, Bowral, Goulburn, Wyong and Maitland – would be redeveloped under the PPP model.

By October, Goulburn hospital was off the list; now Wyong. Those opposing the plan for Shellharbour Hospital hope their hospital will be next.

‘’I applaud the efforts of the Wyong community, who did not take a backward step in demonstrating its fierce opposition to the government’s plans to privatise their hospital,’’ Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said. ‘’It’s now time that the government abandon its proposal to privatise Shellharbour Hospital and deliver the $251 million upgrade as promised at the 2015 state election.’’

Ms Watson said the Shellharbour community would continue to ‘’fight tooth and nail’’ to ensure their hospital remained publicly owned and operated.

In her mayoral minute this week, Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba gained unanimous support from councillors to step up their campaign against the PPP.

‘’Shellharbour Council was instrumental in having the hospital established … and has been supportive of it ever since,’’ Councillor Saliba said. ‘’Now we want to really step up our campaign to keep it in public hands by creating signs, banners and bumper stickers that will serve as a visual reminder to community members of what they stand to lose.’’

Parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said he – and Mr Hazzard – were consulting with all parties.

‘’I’ve told the minister that my view is that this hospital is better placed to provide services people can trust through the traditional model – and that’s what the community wants,’’ he said.

‘’I still want to see the evaluations from the expressions of interest that have been received for Shellharbour. ...But I won’t support any model of healthcare that disadvantages public patients; I only want to see services enhanced.’’

Mr Hazzard said each case was being looked at ‘’on its merits with regard to what is in the best interests of the local community’’.

‘’We’re working our way through that. We’re consulting with the community and basing our decisions on what will result in the best possible hospital,” Mr Hazzard said.

NSW Nurses and Midwives Association general secretary Brett Holmes said the union would continue to campaign against hospital privatisations across the state.

‘’There is overwhelming evidence showing public-private partnerships are an expensive, ill-fitting model when it comes to the health sector,’’ he said.

‘’Handing over public hospitals to be built and run by private operators results in a loss of accountability, a lack of safe patient care and more taxpayers’ dollars being gifted to private shareholders.’’

Meantime Greens MP Justin Field, who’s based in Milton, urged the state government to listen to the Shellharbour community and rule out the PPP.

‘’The sale of Shellharbour is being called a part-privatisation but make no mistake, once it is out of public hands, the community, nurses and other staff will lose their say in how the hospital is run and become powerless to make local decisions,’’ he said.

‘’We cannot afford losing control of the quality and cost of essential health services that support the sick and help improve community well-being.’’