A NSW hospital has turned down a $15 million donation from a coal mining company because of concerns over its potential health impacts and negative sentiment over the mine within the local community.

The donation to Wyong Hospital was pledged by Wyong Coal, which is behind a controversial proposal to build an underground thermal coal mine on the state’s Central Coast.

Last week, it emerged the hospital’s board had rejected the funding that would have delivered $14.8 million over the 28-year life of the mine.

Central Coast Local Health District CEO Dr Andrew Montague said it was not “appropriate to accept” the donation, owing to community sentiment.