Over 3,000 join protest march to defend Portiuncula Hospital
by Karen Downey Updated: Wednesday, 18th August, 2010 6:00pm
Caitlin Fogarty pictured at the protest outside Portiuncula Hospital. Photo Ann Hennessy
Attempting to cut €7m from Portiuncula Hospital's budget for the remainder of the year would mean the effective closure of the hospital for the rest of 2010, according to local TD Denis Naughten.
Deputy Naughten, who has spoken to management and staff at the hospital, told the Westmeath Independent yesterday (Tuesday) that if the €7m is to be cut from the budget for the remainder of the year it would mean virtually closing the doors of the hospital as it will be unable to deliver services.
He was speaking after some 3,000 people turned out in Ballinasloe yesterday to protest against planned cuts.
Crowds poured into the grounds of the hospital yesterday afternoon for the lunchtime protest, which brought together union members, patients, family members of patients, politicians, a plethora of organisations and members of the public.
Once the demonstrators had competed a circuit of the hospital, they then formed a human chain, linking hands, around the hospital.
IMPACT representative and chairman of the Portiuncula Action Committee Padraig Mulligan rallied the crowd, arguing that local politicians must stand up and be counted. "In recent weeks, the HSE have moved to take €7 million out of the budget of Portiuncula, an act that effectively begins the downgrading of our hospital. We were then told by the HSE that some services will move to Galway. But the problem is UCHG cannot manage service demands now. For example University College Hospital Galway had 55 patients on trolleys all elective surgery was cancelled and admissions closed, " he said.
"This is without our community and that served by Roscommon being added to their catchment area," he added.
* See full report in this week's Westmeath Independent
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