Hunter New England health rural and regional executive director Susan Heyman said she understood the community was anxious and she was working hard to find a better alternative to locum doctors.

There have been 14 occasions during the last few weeks when a doctor has not been on duty.

Inverell Shire Councillor Paul King is the latest resident to find no doctor on duty at emergency when he fractured his ankle.

“The staff were excellent and looked after everyone who came in with care and empathy,” Cr King said. “But it is disgusting that there was no doctor there.”