NSW health minister Jillian Skinner described the facility as one built with love as she unveiled a plaque to mark the milestone.

Mrs Skinner joined member for Wagga Daryl Maguire and MPS manager Karen McPherson for guided tour before the building was opened in front of at least 80 people.

Students from Lockhart Central School and St Joseph's Catholic School were among those on hand to witness a significant day for the community.

The gathering was told what the MPS provided in physical terms, but the health minister said it was about "the people who come here".

One who struck a chord with Mrs Skinner was Penny Lane - a mum from Galore who had brought her daughter in for vaccinations.

"It means such a lot for local people to have that kind of facility here," Mrs Skinner said in her address.

"This community has access to more (services) than many others in the state and I think that's the beauty of these multi-purpose services; they provide a range of services for a small community."

The facility offers emergency care, allied care, aged care and community health in what Mrs Skinner said would act as a co-ordination point.

"For the Lockhart community and beyond ... this is a one-stop shop for a whole range of health services," she told The Daily Advertiser.

"(A) state-of-the-art facility built with love and I think that's the important thing; (this is a facility) that really has taken into account, in very fine detail, the things that will provide a total range of services."

Lockhart Shire mayor Peter Yates said he was extremely proud of the community's determination to see the project come to life.

Councillor Yates said health services in the shire had increased substantially during the past six or seven years and welcomed the added ability to attract young people to the area.

"This adds to our sustainability in the future," Cr Yates said.

"The community have fought hard to retain and improve the facilities."

THE people of Lockhart and surrounds had plenty of praise for their new hospital yesterday.

As the $8 million Multi Purpose Service was officially opened, the smiles on the faces of those who use it spoke volumes.

Penny Lane, from Galore, was preparing one of her daughters for immunisation needles when NSW health minister Jillian Skinner stopped to have a chat.

Little Jessica Lane, who turned one yesterday, probably won't remember the moment when she gets older, but Mrs Skinner later used the birthday girl as an example of how the entire community would benefit from the MPS.

Mrs Lane said she had always been happy with the level of response received from staff, but praised more accommodating facilities.

"It's a great asset to the town, especially when you have access to more extensive services," Mrs Lane said.

"I think it encourages (rural) people to utilise these great services, rather than disregard any health issue they may have because they wouldn't necessarily have that local presence."

"It's always reassuring there's some good services at a local level we can utilise, especially when we've got young ones."

Dick Warhurst also chatted with Mrs Skinner as she toured the facility.

Mr Warhurst, who was born in Urana, described the new hospital as "bloody beautiful".

"The staff; you wouldn't wish for anyone better," Mr Warhurst said.

"They're there 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

The 88-year-old watched the official ceremony from the back of a packed dining/lounge room - a moment with added significance because his great grandchild was among the Lockhart Central and St Joseph's Catholic school students who sang the national anthem.

Joyce Carter, who has lived in Lockhart since she was 8, also had nothing but praise for the new facility.

"It's fantastic, I can't fault anything," Mrs Carter, 86, said

"JILLIAN the builder" has been praised for giving the Lockhart community a moment to savour.

Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire publicly thanked NSW health minister Jillian Skinner - dubbed "Jillian the builder" in parliament - for her commitment to rural and regional health during the official opening of the Lockhart Multi Purpose Service yesterday.

The medical staff council, community and many volunteers who helped make the MPS a reality were also acknowledged

"Today is a great day for Lockhart, it is the culmination of work by a lot of people," Mr Maguire said.

"This community should savour the moment, you've all worked so very hard."

LOCKHART hospital staff have been praised for keeping their hospital operating while it was given an $8 million facelift.

Building the town's Multi Purpose Service (MPS) has been described as a difficult project by Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) chief executive Jill Ludford because the facility remained operational throughout.

During yesterday's official opening, Ms Ludford praised those who were "integral in getting the project out of the ground".

"The patience of our medical staff ... kept the whole hospital running," Ms Ludford said.

The Lockhart facility joins a growing number of MPS models of healthcare across the region.

There are now more than 60 MPS facilities across the state -13 of which are located within the MLHD.

"The MPS model has come into being as a result of changing community needs and changes in the way we deliver healthcare," Ms Ludford said.

"The profile of regional Australia has changed greatly over the last 20 years, as has the way healthcare is delivered and funded."

Ms Ludford said hospital stays were now shorter, use of technology was expanding, more services were delivered in the community and an increased number of older people had chosen to be cared for at home.

"The traditional hospital structure and models of care have needed to change to reflect the changing rural and remote environments," she said.

Planning for the health district's 14th MPS at Hillston is under way.

Ms Ludford said several other towns have been identified for possible MPS facilities in the future.

SITTING in a covered outdoor area and watching the football across the road is just one of the perks for patients of Lockhart's new Multi Purpose Service (MPS).

The new facility has been described as a "more home-like environment" by MPS health service manager Karen McPherson.

"It's a whole lot better than what we had, I think we really need to take note of that," Ms McPherson said.

Employment of additional staff - including registered nurses, assistants in nursing and an allied health assistant to provide leisure and lifestyle activities - have been made possible by the upgrade.

"With an increase in staff you can provide more one-on-one care," she said.

"If they (residents) want to go for a walk down the street, they've got staff who can walk them down the street."

Ms McPherson said staff accommodation, built as part of the project, would also enable medical and nursing students to work at the hospital.