Country Health South Australia says it has been working on a new country health plan.

However, George Beltchev, Country Health chief executive, has not revealed what consideration has been given to the Barossa in this plan.

“We have been consulting widely across country South Australia on the country health plan,” Mr Beltchev said. “Talking with doctors, nurses and community members about the needs of their various communities.

“Country Health SA welcomes the input of the Barossa community into health services into the future.”

The new health care plan will be released later in the year.

The lack of commitment to a new Barossa Hospital continues to frustrate Ivan Venning, the Member for Schubert.

“After about six years of my pushing this matter kindly and nicely, it is time to say: ‘You are not dinkum’, Mr Venning said.

The long-serving Liberal MP wants some mention of a new Barossa Hospital in the State Budget, which will be released soon.

But his statement in parliament was less ambitious than a request for a “few million dollars for planning” he made through recent media coverage.

“All I want from this budget is a line saying that there is some money that indicates we are going to do something for the Barossa Hospital somewhere down the line,” he said.

“Even if it is only $500,000, or only $100,000, for some study. The present situation is just not good enough.”