Patients requiring emergency surgery, including maternity patients who may require surgery, will be transferred to hospitals at Bega, Canberra, Goulburn and Nowra.

Other less urgent operations are being deferred and will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Heating coils in the air conditioning system in the number one operating theatre at the hospital malfunctioned last weekend.

Excess humidity and water leakage affected equipment in the theatre and adjoining store room.

The humidity also impacted on the sterility of equipment in the number two operating theatre. The result is that scheduled and emergency operations cannot currently occur at Moruya Hospital.

Repairs to the air conditioning system are under way and will be completed as soon as the necessary parts are received.

One theatre is hoped to be available for use by Monday July 7.

The second operating theatre in Moruya Hospital will be used as soon as appropriate equipment is available.