“There has been extensive and thorough discussion and consultation, and there is more to come,” he told parliament last week.

“We have extended the period of consultation on this plan to the end of July.

“I invite everybody associated with country health to participate in that consultation process.”

The Liberal Opposition is also calling for people to respond to the government.

“I urge people to write; email or call the Minister’s Office; call talk back radio stations; write letters to the editor,” said Ivan Venning, the Member for Schubert.

“Anything that gets the Government’s attention and says ‘this is not acceptable’.

“Rural and regional South Australians must pull together to show the State Rann Government that we will not accept cuts to our country health care services.”

Minster Hill said he is aware of some support for the health plan.

“There is some criticism, I acknowledge, but there is also some support,” Mr Hill said.

Dr Robert Lecons, who chose to move to Kapunda 10-years-ago, does not support the plan and said the financial arguments for a downgrade at Kapunda don’t add up.

“We have an average of 10 in-patients a day, and the capacity for 26 if need be,” Dr Lecons said.

“The hospital is staffed for the number of patients.

“Historically the Kapunda Hospital has run well to budget, because of the affect of the right number of staff for the number of patients.”

Dr Lecons says the loss of obstetric services shows the real level of the downgrade.

“You can’t deliver obstetric services without other strong holistic hospital services,” he said.

The Health Minister maintains the plan means there will be places where people will get improved access to health services.

The Minister wants people in the country to ignore the negative message of the Opposition.

“They should not listen to the rhetoric of the other side, which is trying to score political points for its own benefit in terms of winning votes in the country,” Mr Hill said.

“The overall goal is to improve services for country people so that fewer of them have to go to the city.”