And there are no immediate plans to shrink the physical size of districts, once branded "huge" by the new government.

The Minister for Health Jillian Skinner introduced amendments to the Health Services Act that turns the 15 health networks across NSW into health districts and transforms network governing councils into health district boards.

Mrs Skinner said the reforms would re-engage clinicians and give patients and the wider communities a voice in decision making.

Before the announcement there was speculation the government would use the reform to dump governing council members appointed last year by the Labor government ousted in March.

Among those at risk were chairwoman Lynda Summers, who once stood for Labor at a federal election in the 1990s.

Ms Summers kept her job yesterday, with Mrs Skinner saying she did not envisage "massive" change in board membership and that existing members would not have to reapply for appointment.

Ms Summers said she believed the size of the Murrumbidgee district - which stretches from the ACT's western boundary to Wentworth - was manageable.

"My understanding is that boundary changes will be minimal," she said.

Ms Summers said if the intent of the government was to make real change it boded well.

"But the bottom line is we need to have the resources to ensure health is adequately resourced and staffed," Ms Summers said.

Member for Wagga, Daryl Maguire, defended the decision not to make health districts much smaller at this time.

"That is a matter that people can take up," Mr Maguire said.

"If there is a need (for a smaller district) Mrs Skinner will consider that and consult with the community."

Ms Summers does not support the idea of each hospital being run independently by their community.

"Every hospital cannot be an island, it has to be part of a network for resources," she said.

Greens health spokesman, John Kaye, was sceptical of the government's claim it will not make major changes to board membership.

"If the minister is not going to make major change why is she doing this in the first place?" he asked.

He criticised the timing of the reforms saying they come as there is about to be major change in the way hospitals are funded.

"We need all the certainty we can get," Mr Kaye said.