The Pallister government says it intends to focus on improving health care in rural Manitoba this year.

Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen has indicated that some of the issues rural Manitobans are facing includes access to emergency services and timely ambulance service, but no mention of any bricks and mortar type projects.

That's not the news residents in the community of Morris and area want to hear since they have an aging hospital that needs to replaced or renovated.

Tory MLA for Morris, Shannon Martin, was asked if that kind of project might be in the works.

"I know there has been some discussions with the local Foundation, and I've sat in on meeting between the health minister, reeve and mayor on that issue. I think there is a recognition that based on the fact that Highway 75 is a major transportation artery, there is a role for the Morris hospital to play."

Martin admits the Morris Health Centre is in need of upgrades or replacement, but at this time there are no concrete plans to tackle the project.