NSW will refuse to charge patients for seeking medical help in hospital emergency departments and will not cut hospital services despite facing a $1.2 billion hole in the state’s health budget.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner has confirmed no payment would be charged as the government would ‘‘put patients first’’.

Her statement comes as health experts warn the unprecedented cuts will put huge pressure on state hospitals in the short and long term, with more patients forgoing GP visits that could keep them out of hospital, at the same time federal hospital funding is cut.

GP clinics are already counselling worried patients, with patient numbers halving in one large practice in south-west Sydney on Wednesday as people mistakenly tried to avoid the fees.