The doctor bought the equipment so a diagnostic blood test could be processed at Dubbo Base Hospital, while nurses say they often got medical supplies from the local vet. The hospital's medical staff council chairman, Dean Fisher, said there had been ongoing problems, but patient care was now threatened.

''It is the first time that I'm aware that a doctor has had to buy supplies and that stems mostly from bills unpaid by [Greater Western Area Health Service], which stopped supplies being sent up to us to use,'' Dr Fisher said. ''In the past, it's been unpaid food bills, unpaid transport bills; now it's affecting patient safety and that's of extraordinary concern.''

Greater Western Area Health Service has brought forward to Monday a meeting with the council originally scheduled for next month. Its director, Dr Claire Blizard, said in a statement yesterday, ''I have seen reports that doctors and nurses have bought food and other supplies. I thank them for their support, but do not wish them to be put in this position again.''

She said the service had made paying local creditors a priority. Medical staff cast a vote of no confidence in hospital management on Monday.

Staff want to meet management and ask that NSW Premier Nathan Rees and state Health Minister John Della Bosca visit the hospital to discuss supply shortages.

Dr Fisher said, ''We've had enough of nursing staff having to go down to the local veterinary clinic to get bandages and urinary dip sticks to be able to continue patient care. Every six to 12 months we have a crisis here.

''We are short from a workforce point of view, both medically and with nursing personnel. They [the health service] bring in a external auditor at great expense to look at the problems.''

A spokeswoman for Mr Della Bosca could not confirm when the minister would visit Dubbo. AAP