That's why the possibility of waiting another six months to see a GP service in the Gunnedah Rural Health Centre had many residents reeling on Friday, including Gunnedah mayor Jaime Chaffey who said it was "not good enough".

However, Hunter New England Health (HNEH) has explained the time-frame may vary, depending on talks with the successful applicant.

Executive Director, Rural and Regional Health Services Susan Heyman said HNEH is focused on ensuring Gunnedah patients get the very best outcome from the EOI process in the shortest time possible.

"Three GP services have expressed interest in working from the Rural Health Centre, and we're inviting each to share how they see themselves delivering care to the Gunnedah community, and complementing the services provided by Gunnedah Hospital and Community Health," she said.

"Depending on the ideas put forward, discussions and negotiations may take as little as a couple of weeks or up to a few months to finalise.

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"We are also mindful the successful applicant may also complete minor refurbishment of the GP clinic space to ensure it meets the needs of patients and clinicians before services begin."

She said HNEH will be "working hard to expedite the process wherever possible, and keep the community up-to-date as plans progress".

Gunnedah Shire Council requested on Friday that HNEH expedite this process as a matter of urgency and move a GP service into the vacant Gunnedah Rural Health Centre as soon as practically possible.

HNEH took ownership of the centre in August 2020, taking over from the previous owner Mackellar Care Services who ceased operation in October 2019 due to an ongoing shortage of staff.

Since then HNEH has been looking for an operator of the centre in the hopes to have it up and running again.

Expressions of interest have now closed.