Mr McLachlan announced his decision to leave the role on Thursday to start a new position as chief executive of the Central Coast Health District.

Since arriving in 2013, Mr McLachlan has overseen the redevelopment of the Dubbo Hospital as well the redevelopment of the Lachlan Health Service in Parkes and Forbes.

Mr McLachlan said he does not believe he will ever get to a point when he achieves all the goals he had set coming into the job eight years ago.

"I don't think you ever get to that point in health services," he said.

"There's thousands of patients every day who need our help, care, compassion and support so that's been our overriding responsibility.

"We know there is still more patients we can be saving and more people we can be helping, and that's driven me for nearly nine years in this region."

In the last several years especially, Dubbo has become the hub for health care in the region with many patients coming from western towns to use the wide variety of facilities, such as the hospital or other health care networks.

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"I know we've made a big impact on people's lives," Mr McLachlan said.

"There is no question there are better health services today than there were five years ago. There are more staff and more services available in every community.

"That's not always perfect but we know the vast majority of patients have a good outcome and good experience when they come to a hospital or community health centre."

While he will remain in the job for just five more weeks, Mr McLachlan said he would not 'slack off now' as Western NSW begins to come out the covid-19 enforced lockdown from Monday.

"There's always more you can do," he said.

"I'll leave it all out on the field for the next five weeks knowing that we have to get through a period of real change and uncertainty.

"Our challenge for the next five weeks is to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep people healthy in our communities."

The hunt for a new chief executive has already begun with the recruitment process to start before Mr McLachlan departs while an interim leader will take over after November 10.

After arriving from Tamworth eight years ago, Mr McLachlan has been in charge of a health district the size of Great Britain and said the decision to leave was not an easy one.

"I don't think there is ever a right time," he said.

"I know what we have been through in the last two or three months, our leadership and the whole of our team has been amazing.

"To see everyone come together and find ways to keep people healthy and alive.

"So there is never a right time but I know the service is in great hands with our leadership and the 8,000 people who come to work every day to do what's best for our communities."

Western NSW recorded 16 new cases to 8pm on Thursday with six of those being identified in Dubbo.

Bathurst recorded five cases, Wellington had two while Bourke, Orange and Oberon each had a single case.

Only two of the cases were identified as being in the community while infectious.

As restrictions ease on Monday for those who are double vaccinated, Mr McLachlan is reminding the public they are not out of the woods yet.

"There is still at least 10 per cent of our community who need a first dose and 30 per cent who need a second dose," he said.

"The days and weeks in front of us is the most crucial thing."

Freedoms will include regional travel, access to gyms and pubs under some restrictions. Once NSW reaches 80 per cent full vaccination more freedoms include community sport resuming and nightclubs re-opening.

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