The Rural Hospital Network says it has been affected by a case of postcode lottery in the government's plan to upgrade many hospitals to deal with Covid-19.
The plan includes a $100 million boost to provide more intensive care and high dependency unit beds.
The Rural General Practice Network, and the Rural Hospital Network, say it's focused on provincial hospitals and ignores most rural hospitals.
"They need improved ventilation, they need a situation where there is an isolation room that can be created.
"It'd be the same in Dunstan Hospital, Balclutha Hospital, Gore Hospital, Oamaru Hospital, all those facilities in southern haven't received investment in order to upgrade their facilities."
The Network's chair Ray Anton told Morning Report it feels sidelined by the fact many rural hospitals have been left out of funding despite the expectation of an influx of visitors this summer.
Anton said rural hospitals don't have adequate facilities to care for patients with Covid-19 and he fears it will take time to transport them to urban centres for treatment.
