Tumby Bay GP Graham Fleming gave a passionate presentation on his concerns about what he believed were “statistical inaccuracies” used to formulate the country health plan and a perceived lack of local consultation.

Under the plan, Kimba, Cowell and Elliston hospitals are three of 14 which “may possibly see change to services over the coming 10 year span of the plan”. At the same time, Cleve and Wudinna hospitals have more secure status and will not see any short-term change to existing services.

In response to council and community questions, Mr Nielsen committed to finding out the criteria on which the hospital prioritisations were made.

Former Member for Flinders Peter Blacker was this month assigned to head up the SA Government’s health task force the terms of reference of which are still being determined.

The task force is to visit affected communities and gather information and concerns from those communities and report to the minister within the next six months.

The taskforce is set to visit Kimba where Mr Nielsen agreed “we need to work more collaboratively with country communities”.

“Current services in Kimba and other communities will continue as they are now until circumstances beyond anyone’s control dictate otherwise,” he said.

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“While funding has been put into recruiting doctors and staff into country areas, that is no guarantee that those positions will be filled.”

Rowan Ramsey spoke both as a politician and a former member for the Kimba District Hospital Board. He observed that the government’s rhetoric has changed in the past two months and expressed concern that the language used in the report is “inconclusive” and has led to feelings of mistrust and even public outrage in rural communities. A total of 23 of the 43 hospitals affected by the plan are in the electorate of Grey.

Mr Ramsey queried the description of observation beds - now known as acute beds in the plan - and the make-up of the taskforce.

“Why is there no-one on the taskforce from any of the 14 affected communities?” he asked.

He also queried the description of “a stable workforce” in the plan stating that Kimba had only been without a doctor for possibly six months in the past 20 years.

Mr Ramsey strongly urged Kimba to form a sub committee to prepare Kimba’s case for the taskforce.

Caroline Schaefer queried the issue of funding for travel and accommodation for rural patients and their families and extra funding for the PATS scheme.

“There has been no economic impact statement or community impact statement released with the Country Health Plan,” she said.