Police are appealing for information on how a 22-year-old man appeared at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital with a gunshot wound to his chest last night.

Lake Macquarie officers attended at about 8pm and were told the man had suffered a serious wound.

He was transferred to another hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Anyone with footage or information is being encouraged to get in touch with crime stoppers.

BY PETER HYSLOP

Police say the incident occurred on Sydney Street at Gateshead. Credit: Google Maps