A re-elected Weatherill government will spend $140 million on upgrading country hospitals over the next 10 years.

Country Health SA will receive $14 million a year to upgrade infrastructure, including the dialysis facilities at the Whyalla and Mount Gambier Hospitals if re-elected in March, Premier Jay Weatherill says.

“We know our country hospitals and aged care facilities require ongoing and sometimes substantial updating to ensure high-quality services for patients and their families,” Mr Weatherill said on Wednesday.

Health Minister Peter Malinauskas says the upgrades will not only include medical infrastructure, but replace old telephones, switchboards and air conditioning systems.

“In 2019-20 the state government will spend a substantial amount of money upgrading the mechanical and electrical systems at Port Augusta Hospital,” Mr Malinauskas said.

Country Health manages 61 rural hospitals and 20 aged care facilities throughout the state.