NSW Premier Mike Baird has issued a passionate defence of his embattled health minister despite signalling plans he's likely to "refresh" his frontbench.
Jillian Skinner has this week been under intense pressure to resign over her handling of the deadly gas mix-up and chemotherapy under-dosing scandals plaguing various Sydney hospitals.
But the premier says she's doing an outstanding job.
"This has been a very difficult week, the circumstances that have been in the health system are tragic," Mr Baird told parliament on Thursday.
"The health minister and I are absolutely heartbroken and we're also furious that it's happened.
"We're going to do everything to ensure that it doesn't happen again, and that is what this health minister is doing."
Mr Baird was forced to issue the show of allegiance after earlier confirming plans he is planning to reshuffle his cabinet ministers in 2017.
"There's no doubt a government needs to refresh," he told the Daily Telegraph.
"It needs an opportunity to have new ideas, new energy, new talent and obviously a reshuffle's part of that. Next year there would be an expectation that it would happen".
The opposition seized on the comments later in parliament, with Labor leader Luke Foley calling on Ms Skinner to "take the hint and resign".
But the veteran minister stood firm, saying she was doing everything she can to look after the patients caught up in the scandals.
"My primary concern is about patient care, making sure they're looked after," Ms Skinner said.
"If you want to crucify me, fine I'll stand aside. (But) it's not about me, it is about patients."
The 71-year-old MP for North Shore has been in charge of the health portfolio since 2011 when she was appointed by then-premier Barry O'Farrell.
