Saint John of God carries a basket of pomegranates, the seeds of which represent hospitality, compassion, respect, justice and excellence.

They were the values embraced by the Sisters of Saint John of God, fresh from Ireland, who established their hospital in Bourke Street, Goulburn in 1916.

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That special brand of care has flowed down through the years amid major changes.

Now, emotions are swirling as a long era nears an end at Bourke Street Health Service, affectionately still known as Saint John of God Hospital.

The facility's 12-bed Marian Unit, built in the early 1990s as a 55-bed offering, will close its doors on November 25. Services and patients will be integrated into the rehabilitation unit at the redeveloped Goulburn Base Hospital. Other services will stay at the facility for now.

Mary Queen of Apostles parish priest Father Joshy Kurien held a special Mass at Saint John's chapel on Wednesday to mark the milestone.

Senior nurse manager John Gale said many a tear had been shed at the impending Marian Unit's closure. It will end 105 years of in-patient care at the facility.

All 30 staff have been offered positions at the new hospital but Bourke Street has held a special place for them.

"It comes down to the way we handle palliative care patients," Mr Gale said.

"We (staff) work effectively with the palliative care team and are not afraid to spend that extra bit of time with patients who need support. That's an important part of the Sisters' legacy."

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He recalled former pastoral care coordinator Sister Eileen Regan lighting a candle and holding people's hand as they passed. Her order's approach to patients was ingrained in lay staff, some of whom served up to 50 years.

Mr Gale said current nurse unit manager Jenelle Crooks reflected this Christian philosophy, expected the same of her staff and won high respect as a result.

"That is why she has been such a successful nurse unit manager," he said.

"We've had a wonderful attitude to staff and really promoted a family atmosphere. There is an expectation they will be professional but they will go the extra mile because they know of Jenelle's commitment."

Many had stayed until the end rather than immediately take up new positions.

Ms Crooks is a familiar face at Bourke Street. The Goulburn born former Marian College student worked in Sydney before moving back here in 2003 to take up the NUM role. At the time, the remaining Sisters were leaving the facility and services were transferred to the Greater Southern Area Health Service.

"It was a transition phase and we went along with it," Ms Crooks said.

"I've had 17 good years here and some hard times as well, as we all do in Health. I want to thank the staff for their hard work and support. We've been a strong team and I'll really miss them."

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She remains in close contact with Sister Eileen who stayed until 2012 as pastoral care coordinator.

Mr Gale said the most difficult part had been ensuring staff were supported throughout the transition.

He started as deputy to the clinical services manager in 2003 and took over as senior nurse manager six years later.

Ms Crooks said Mr Gale had been very dedicated to promoting best clinical practice.

"He's done a great job and has been a supportive manager to us all while promoting a very caring facility," she said.

Mr Gale said he looked forward to considering other opportunities at the new hospital.

For him, the Saint John of God statue is an enduring reminder.

"It has been important to the community. He's part of the team and everyone identifies with Saint John as being influential. The Sisters left that whole concept of caring."

He stressed that some services would be staying at the facility. These were the oncology unit, transitional aged care program, the brain injury unit, the Aged Care and Assessment Team, Rural Assistance Scheme and a counselling service.

However the state government allocated funds in this year's budget for a transitional brain injury service in the community.

The Southern NSW Local Health District has a lease at BSHS until January, 2023. The complex is owned by the Canberra/Goulburn catholic diocese.

Meantime, former Saint John of God Hospital CEO and director of nursing from 1992 to 2001, Bruce Hammond said he felt deeply for the Marian Unit staff.

"It's the end of an era and one hopes there is a future for the facility," he said.

"I know it is well and truly in Goulburn people's hearts and minds and they will want to see it used for some kind of worthwhile purpose."

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Mr Hammond said the staff were caring and compassionate and he hoped their future was certain.

Former pastoral care coordinator Barbara Hall said for many of them, Bourke Street was not just a place to work but an extended family. They had even nursed their colleagues through illness and death.

"The Marian Unit is unique; it is different to a hospital ward," she said.

"It's a place where staff have stayed, often for many years, and they've developed a deeper relationship with each other. They feel that significant loss and don't know whether it can be recaptured in a different space."

The new clinical services building at Goulburn Base Hospital is due to open in December.

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