The loss of highly skilled medical practitioners and their support staff will have a devastating effect.

Good country medical facilities are important to all sections of the community but especially to retirees and young families.

Many older people retire to country towns such as Kapunda, and young families want to bring their children up in a smaller community environment.

These people come from the surrounding rural areas and from Adelaide, and, this is in no small part due to the excellent medical facilities available.

Downgrading facilities will discourage retirees and families from choosing to make Kapunda their home, many of those already here will find it necessary to leave.

Loss of population will have a flow-on effect, housing development will slow, retailers will experience a downturn, unemployment will increase, and service and sporting clubs will suffer. Decline will be self perpetuating as Kapunda and other country towns become less attractive places to live.

Improving four regional centres, while destroying 43 country hospitals defies logic. This decision needs to be changed.