Adelaide hospital to get health overhaul

The Repatriation General Hospital in Adelaide will be retained as a health and aged care precinct, with the state government looking to private operators to move in.

The South Australian government says it will press ahead with a decision to move the current clinical and rehabilitation services to other public hospitals.

The existing facility could become a private hospital or be used for aged care, a move that is unlikely to please veterans groups and others who have been campaigning for the public hospital to be kept.

Veterans Affairs and Acting Health Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said health, community and aged-care organisations would be invited to register their interest in the site.

The government's decision ruled out any inappropriate development, he said.

"Sale of land at the site for major commercial or residential development was never our intention," Mr Hamilton-Smith said on Tuesday.

"Options could include private rehabilitation, respite care, retirement living, private medical practices or teaching and academic facilities."

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said the government's plan ignored calls from veterans and other groups to keep the hospital open.

Veterans still had no real answers about what would happen to current services, he said.

"This announcement is especially galling just four days out from the Anzac centenary," Mr Marshall said.