Health Minister John Hill said Whyalla Hospital would be set up as a regional chemotherapy hub for cancer patients, providing key cancer treatment to the local community.

He said this would eliminate the hassle of patients travelling to Adelaide for ongoing treatment.

About 445 extra elective surgery procedures would be offered at Whyalla hospital throughout the next four years.

Mr Hill said more than 1885 procedures were provided at the hospital last year.

"This is about setting up country communities to enable them to provide more local health services now and into the future," he said.

"Everyday on average there are more than 500 people from country communities being treated in city hospitals."

Eastern Eyre & Far North Health Service chief executive officer Kay Atfield was "absolutely thrilled" about the announcement .

Ms Atfield said it meant more people could stay in the country for treatment.

"It does not only benefit the patients, it benefits the staff," she said.

Ms Atfield said it would provide staff with the opportunity for new training and will not only attract staff to the country but would also retain staff.

She said the services provided would bring patients throughout the Eyre Peninsula such as Cowell and Kimba to the Whyalla hospital.

"It is much easier for some to come here and many rather stay in the country," Ms Atfield said.

Mr Hill said the Labor Government wanted more people to be able to have their treatment locally.

"Labor also wants to ensure country hospitals are maintained and improved so patients can have the best environment in which to be treated and to heal," he said.

Member for Giles Lyn Breuer praised the services at the Whyalla hospital.

"Our hospital is great," she said.

"I know this because we get very few complaints."

Ms Breuer said Whyalla health services offer great services and had wonderful staff.

To hear a cancer patients point of view on what the Labor Government has on offer read Tuesday's edition of the Whyalla News.