Staff in the hospital's COVID-19 response team have begun receiving free family meals at the end of each shift from Orange catering companies paid for by Newcrest's Cadia Valley Operations.

And a 'mystery samaritan' has paid the Byng Street Local Store group to provide family meals for staff in the hospital's maternity unit.

While helping frontline staff in a crisis it is also providing work and money for caterers and food suppliers.

Cadia acting general manager Aaron Brannigan said the initiative was part of Newcrest's Community Support Fund, which is providing financial support to its mining communities to help them get through the pandemic.

He said they had learned health workers in the COVID-19 response team were required to isolate at home following each shift, meaning they could not stop for groceries on the way home from work or pick up dinner.

Mr Brannigan said Cadia had stepped in to pay catering companies to deliver food to the hospital for staff to take home.

"The health and safety of our people and the community is our most important focus and through sponsoring the provision of these meals, we hope to support the work of the COVID-19 response team through helping care for the members of this team and their families," he said.

The first round of meals was provided by Delish Catering.

Mr Brannigan said other caterers would provide the service, to be organised by Orange360, to share the business around various firms.

Byng Street Local Store and Cafe owner Jeremy Norris said he had been contacted by "an anonymous buyer at the hospital" last week who wanted to buy meals for staff in the Women's and Infants Unit.

"They wish to remain anonymous. It was a mystery samaritan," he said.

Mr Norris said 47 meals were provided.

They included family chicken and tarragon pies, home-made pasta and sauce and cottage pies.

Staff were able to select what they would like to take home and cook.

He said he understood there might be another order for hospital staff this week.

Mr Norris said the order had also been a boost for his business and staff.

"It was fantastic," he said.

The aid comes as controls have been implemented to protect health staff from coronavirus risks. All hospital visitors and staff are required to have their temperature checked before entering.