Non-government operators are being sought to redevelop and run five regional public hospitals across New South Wales.

Key points: Health Minister Jullian Skinner says the five hospitals will continue to treat public patients

Health Minister Jullian Skinner says the five hospitals will continue to treat public patients Government committed more than $1b to upgrading hospitals in 2015

Government committed more than $1b to upgrading hospitals in 2015 Ms Skinner says a private partnership approach might allow new hospital to be built, rather than just upgraded

Health Minister Jillian Skinner has told Parliament expressions of interest are being sought from non-government operators to redevelop and run the Maitland, Wyong, Goulburn and Shellharbour hospitals and provide services at Bowral Hospital.

Under the partnership plan, the winning bidders would construct the hospitals then run them on behalf of the State Government.

It is the same model as the new Northern Beaches Hospital, which is currently being built by private operator Healthscope.

Ms Skinner said the hospitals would continue to treat public patients.

"The approach is about putting patients and communities first," she said.

"The partnerships that result will ensure that patients receive the high quality of service regardless of their status as private or public patients.

"Under any contract entered into, hospital operators will be required to treat every public patient that presents to the hospital."

Government committed more than $1 billion to upgrade hospitals

Jillian Skinner told Parliament expressions of interest were being sought from non-government operators. ( AAP: Dan Himbrechts )

The Minister insisted non-government operators would have the same obligations to the state as public hospital operators and would have to meet the same standards of service.

She said current permanent staff who want to work at the new hospitals would be offered positions with a two-year employment guarantee.

In the lead up to the 2015 state election, the Government committed more than $1 billion to upgrading the hospitals.

Ms Skinner said partnering with non-government operators would allow the Government to provide bigger and faster redevelopments.

"A partnership approach will allow us to leverage the capital and expertise of non-government hospital operators," she said.

"It might mean we can build a new hospital, rather than upgrade an existing one.

"It might mean we can offer more complex services locally."