But whether the woman who admitted to being embarrassed by GWAHS failure to pay $60 million dollars worth of bills on time walked of her own accord or was pushed has become a bone of contention.

Dr Blizard has faced months of continual scrutiny over GWAHS debts, which led to shortages of basic medical supplies and claims medical staff had been forced to work in sub-standard conditions

In a statement - and sounding very much like a sacked sporting coach - Dr Blizard cited a desire to spend more time with her family as one of the primary reasons for her decision to stand down.

"I am now looking forward to having an extended holiday and spending time with my family," she said.

"I acknowledge that managing health for such a diverse population with unique health needs compounded by the tyranny of distance has been a challenging task.

"In the almost four years I have held the position I believe there has been significant progress made in establishing clinical networks, on workforce issues unique to rural NSW and on providing safer services to the people of GWAHS."

Independent State MP for Dubbo Dawn Fardell called for Ms Blizard's resignation several months ago, citing a lack of faith in the regional service and Ms Blizard's leadership as key reasons for her stance in the wake of an ongoing saga over unpaid GWAHS bills.

Yesterday, Mrs Fardell said she was certain Ms Blizard was pushed out of her role by those in higher positions.

"My information was that Claire was called to Sydney urgently late last week and the statement says she resigned, which I suppose is the politically correct wording these days," Mrs Fardell said.

"But regardless of how it happened, it has happened, and there are a lot of people out there happy it has happened.

"The challenge now is for someone from outside the system, with a sound knowledge of how to spend money wisely, to come in and take control of GWAHS and provide the people of our region with a quality health service."

But Mrs Fardell's assumption that Ms Blizard was pushed from her position was quashed by both the chairman of the area health advisory council Steve Flecknoe-Brown and NSW Health Minister John Della Bosca.

When questioned about whether there had been a push for her resignation, a spokesperson for Mr Della Bosca gave a very blunt answer.

"No. Dr Blizard chose to resign," the answer stated.

That sentiment was echoed by Dr Flecknoe-Brown, who said he was informed last Tuesday of Dr Blizard's intentions.

"I got a phone call from Claire and she asked me not to break the news to anyone else. That was last Tuesday," Dr Flecknoe-Brown said.

"Her daughter announced recently that she is going overseas and I think Claire thought it would be good to be able to spend more time with her before she left.

"I can assure you she wasn't sacked and I can also assure you she wasn't shoved from her position.

"Very few chief executives last past five years. Claire has served four and she still had the full support of the area health council.

"I think we will have to look hard to find someone for the job."

The circumstances surrounding Ms Blizard's departure formed the basis of the first question posed by The Nationals duty MLC for Dubbo, Duncan Gay.

Mr Gay, who last month helped organise a rally designed to improve the region's health service, was blunt in his opinion.

"I wonder whether she was pushed," was Mr Gay's initial response to the news of Dr Blizard's departure.

"Whichever way it happened we have to look at the underlying problem that GWAHS is too big and under funded and that is the fault of the NSW Government.

"They don't share blame, they shift it and there are other health services in NSW, that Claire Blizard isn't in charge of, that are also in financial strife.

"If only our health service had as many doctors of medicine as the government has doctors of spin. Things might be a little better if that was the case."

Shadow health minister Jillian Skinner said Ms Blizard's departure did not signal the end of the State's health woes.

"The departure of Dr Claire Blizard will not magically result in all Greater Western Area Health Service bills being paid or pull the health budget out of deficit - that's the responsibility of John Della Bosca and the State Government," Mrs Skinner said.

"The failure of Labor's area health services can't be blamed on one individual CEO.

"Labor's system of area health services is broken, and failing to deliver the quality health services families expect and deserve.

"Six of Labor's eight area health services had unpaid bills collectively totalling more than $130 million in December last year.

"Instead of trying to shift the blame, John Della Bosca should take responsibility and admit his area health service structure is failing."

Federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton also weighed into the debate, admitting Ms Blizard's departure could allow for a re-structure of the region's health service.

"This has presented an opportunity now to overhaul the management problems relating to NSW Health Minister John Della Bosca and the Department of Health, as well as look at restructuring the Greater Western Area Health Service," Mr Coulton said.

"I would hope that Dr Blizard has not been used as a scapegoat to overrule the quite public concern regarding GWAHS without making any great effort to addressing the root causes of what has led to this event.

"If they are not then this is not a great step forward to solving the problems of the Greater Western Area Health Service."

ben.walker@ruralpress.com