White Cliffs hospital's limited operating hours have drawn criticism from residents concerned about access to emergency medical care in the remote outback community.

The facility is closed from 5pm until 9am on weekdays and remains closed throughout entire weekends. Residents requiring medical assistance during these hours are advised to call triple zero.

The arrangement has prompted sharp responses from community members questioning the adequacy of healthcare provision in isolated areas. Local resident Lynette Ziegler confirmed the operating hours, noting that emergency services must be contacted outside of business hours.

Jillian McNamara questioned whether the arrangement genuinely considered community needs, asking rhetorically if authorities were "doing us a favour" with the limited service.

Robin Billings raised concerns about the implications for travellers and station workers in the region, pointing out the significant distances to alternative medical facilities. The nearest major centres are Broken Hill, approximately 200 kilometres away, and Cobar, close to 300 kilometres distant.

"You come through late at night with a member of your family seriously injured from hitting a sheep, a cow, a pig, a goat, a horse or vehicle accident, never mind heart attack, anaphylactic attack or any other emergency when you are 200 kilometres from Broken Hill and close to 300 from Cobar, not to count isolated station people," Billings said, directing comments to Health Minister Ryan Park.

Billings challenged the minister to consider whether similar restrictions would be imposed on metropolitan hospitals in Newcastle, Sydney or Wollongong, and questioned the potential political consequences of such a decision.

Other residents expressed frustration with the situation, with Pam Nichols and Jacinta Carter both sharing their dismay at the limited service availability.

The hospital's operating hours highlight ongoing challenges in delivering healthcare services to remote and rural communities across New South Wales, where distance, population density and resource allocation create complex service delivery issues.