MHLD board chair Gayle Murphy made the announcement in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.

“Today the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) Board resolved to continue surgical services at the Temora Hospital operating theatre as currently provided,” she said.

“We will continue discussions with local doctors and staff as well as Temora Council and the Local Health Advisory Committee around all aspects of local hospital services including opportunities to enhance services.”

Cootamundra’s Doctor Jacques Scholz believes the right decision has been made.

“This is very good news,” he said.

However, the GP obstetrician reiterated his earlier statements for the need to look to the future and have more input into rural generalist programs.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard was another who weighed into discussions, stating on Tuesday that he was “yet to see substantive evidence for the facility’s closure”.

Operating services, specifically maternity surgical procedures, were closed initially because of inadequate air conditioning and suction facilities in the room.

High-risk patients were to be diverted to Cootamundra or Young.

Temora mayor Rick Firman said this was a win for the hospital and the town.

He thanked Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson for her prompt action.

“We are very grateful to Katrina for her commitment and hard work on this,” Cr Firman said.

“We now just need to have an ironclad assurance that the funds to upgrade the theatre will be forthcoming.”

MLHD has reviewed costs associated with repairing the facility and is consulting with clinicians about the requirements.

“We have systems in place to monitor safe hospital procedures and Temora operating theatre activity will be reported to the MLHD Board monthly,” a statement from MLHD read.