Thousands of extra nurses and midwives will be recruited to care for patients across the state's hospitals in a pre-election sweetener announced by the NSW government.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday said 5000 nurses and midwives will be recruited over the next four years as part of a boost of 8300 frontline staff including doctors and allied health professionals.
Nearly half - some 45 per cent - of the additional staff will be in regional NSW.
The $2.8 billion package will ensure patients get "world-class" service across NSW hospitals, Ms Berejiklian said.
"Without them (frontline staff) the patients can't get that world class health service, without them hospitals don't run efficiently, without them we can't provide the services people expect day in and day out," she told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the boost will mean nurse to patient ratios will improve making a "huge difference".
"Our hospitals are leading the country already but this massive boost of staff will mean the staff are so much more comfortable in the work they are doing in our incredible hospitals," Mr Hazzard said alongside the premier.
Of the 8300 new staff, there will be 1060 doctors, 880 additional allied health staff including pharmacists, physiotherapists and psychologists and 1360 hospital support staff.
The state opposition was quick to promise it "can and will match the commitment of 5000 more nurses".
"Labor will be making further announcements in the coming weeks," opposition health spokesman Walt Secord said in a statement.
"Labor will always deliver more on health. The Liberals, meanwhile, can't be trusted as their priority lies in spending $2.2 billion on stadiums."
