While the community is hoping its efforts to offer an "attractive package" to prospective GPs will throw the town a medical lifeline, there are growing fears the hospital service could be in jeopardy and patients will have to travel 40 kilometres to the nearest medical centre in Scone.

The loss not only leaves more than a thousand residents in Murrurundi, Blandford and Quirindi without a doctor, it will create a ripple effect in Scone that already suffers from a severe doctor shortage.

Scone has one medical practice that is five doctors short, having lost four GPs since July.

Scone Medical Practice manager Ross Higham said the surgery already had a six-week wait time for an appointment and more than 15,000 patients on its books.

"Already we are struggling to cope and adding new patients is far from ideal," Mr Higham said.

"The wait times will get longer, we are actively trying to recruit new doctors, it is a never ending process."

After 23 years living and working in Murrurundi, Dr William Redmayne told The Herald his children were changing schools and he would be moving to Cessnock in mid-December.

The search to fill Dr Redmayne's position is made even more difficult by the fact that he also works as a visiting medical officer (VMO) at Murrurundi's Wilson Memorial Community Hospital.

"I would have seen at least 90 per cent of the people in Murrurundi over the years and Quirindi the same," Dr Redmayne said.

"It has been a great experience, but after so long being on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week has become a bit tough."

Already more than 540 concerned residents have signed a petition which has been forwarded to the Upper Hunter Shire Council calling for immediate action.

With more than 250 rural doctors position vacant across NSW, there are fears Murrurundi could be waiting a while for a new GP.