It will still be State Government that has the final say on hospitals.

Nick Champion, the Federal Member for Wakefield, said the reform was aimed at fixing up health funding.

“The states are still responsible for service planning,” Mr Champion said.

This includes building new hospitals.

The catch-cry of the new system is “funded nationally and run locally”.

The Federal Government believes better services and hospitals will be achieved by establishing a National Health and Hospitals Network.

The Barossa Area Health Service is already served well by Health Advisory Councils, so this transition could be smooth.

The responsible advisory council has already committed to the idea of a new Barossa Hospital.

We know the Liberal Party - aspiring to govern - has released a plan for at $35million new Barossa Hospital.

So far, we don’t know what the Rann Government would commit to - if anything.

However, we do know Premier Mike Rann has welcomed the national health funding reforms.

The premier believes it could result in more money for SA hospitals and health services.

“I am prepared to strongly support the direction of these reforms,” Mr Rann said. “The Prime Minister has proposed the Commonwealth fund 60 per cent of all public hospital services, including for the first time, a real and ongoing commitment to capital funding for buildings and infrastructure.”

Mr Rann has remained silent on plans for a new Barossa Hospital.

Ivan Venning, the Member for Schubert, pointed out the only response was an attack about costings.

“Over the past eight years the Rann Labor Government has given false expectations to the Barossa and surrounding communities about a new health facility,” Mr Venning said.

“This Government doesn’t, and has never had, any intention of building a new health facility in the Barossa.”