The amount of time a patient spends in the ED now determines what he or she eats.

Community angst has prompted Dubbo Health Service general manager Debra Bickerton to explain who gets what at breakfast, lunch and dinner time.

An email sent by a concerned citizen to the Daily Liberal claimed hot meals were off the menu in the ED and sandwiches the only option for hungry patients.

"What about dietary needs of sick people?" the author of the email asked.

"What about nutrition?"

The concern citizen, who asked not to be identified, repeated unconfirmed advice that "$33,000 has to be saved".

In a statement provided to this newspaper, Ms Bickerton dismissed the claim that patients were only being fed sandwiches.

"Hot meals are served in the ED for patients who are required to stay over four hours," she said.

"Hot meals are not routinely served to patients in the ED if they are there for under four hours, however these patients are offered a nutritious sandwich pack that contains a sandwich, juice and biscuits, as well as tea or coffee.

"This has been the case since February 2015 following a strategic review of meal delivery services in the ED."

Ms Bickerton defended the change but did not provide financial detail.

"Many patients in the ED are treated and discharged quickly and ordering a hot meal which is then discarded is unnecessary and inappropriate wastage," she said.

"As with all health facilities, Dubbo Hospital has a responsibility to use its resources wisely.

"This includes minimising food wastage where appropriate."

The general manager indicated that the new arrangements did not constitute a dietary disaster.

"Providing for the health needs of all of our patients is a priority," she said.

"This includes meeting their nutritional needs at all times.

"This is why patients are offered nutritionally sound sandwich packs if they are in the ED for under four hours over a meal period."