In a statement he has welcomed the upper house inquiry into Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote NSW.

Mr Saunders is also hoping that the inquiry's committee puts "politics aside".

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"I welcome this inquiry because nothing is more important to me than the health and safety of regional communities," he said.

"I want to know about any issues and I want them fixed."

Mr Saunders said regional NSW expected and deserved the best healthcare.

"There are flaws in the system, and I want to get to the bottom of them," he said.

"I sincerely hope the committee puts politics aside and takes this inquiry seriously as I refuse to play politics with people's healthcare.

"This can't be about scoring headlines in the papers. This must be about ensuring the best health services for people living in regional areas.

"The NSW Nationals in government are building a safer and stronger regional NSW and this starts with our healthcare for the regions."

The inquiry's committee is chaired by NSW Labor MLC Greg Donnelly and includes deputy chair Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) and members Lou Amato (Liberal), Cate Faehrmann (Greens), Wes Fang (Nationals) Natasha MacLaren-Jones (Liberals) and Walt Secord (Labor).

Dubbo regional mayor Ben Shields says the NSW government should be "working hard to close the gap between health provision and services for metropolitan and regional residents".

The inquiry will conduct hearings in Dubbo and Wellington on May 19 and 18, respectively.

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