Thousands expected at Portiuncula protest rally

Athlonians are being urged to "play their part" and take to the streets this Sunday in support of the campaign to prevent the possible downgrading of Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, at a specially arranged protest march and rally kicking off in the town at 1pm. Large numbers drawn from the town itself and Westmeath, Offaly, and Roscommon, all part of the hospital's catchment area, are expected to converge at Society Street at 1pm this Sunday, March 28 for the march and rally in a bid to halt plans for new management reporting procedures at Roscommon and Portiuncula. The changes would mean managers at the local hospitals would defer decisions to a manager, based at University College Hospital Galway, widely thought to the first step in downgrading both facilities. Were this to happen, the Portiuncula Action Committee fear that money would be taken from the two smaller hospitals to subsidise the Galway-based facility, which boasts a large deficit at present. This would also lead to downgrading of services, facilities and jobs in Ballinasloe and Roscommon, the action group believes. "This is a huge issue for the people of Athlone. They have been having babies in Portiuncula for years and have been very supportive of the hospital, now we call on them to play their part to ensure it is there for successive generations. The hospital is not for sale, the jobs or services," IMPACT's Padraig Mulligan, also a member of the recently formed Portiuncula Action Committee, bullishly stated this week. The union official said he, and members of the committee, have been heartened by the massive support from all sections of the community in Ballinasloe and across the three counties for the campaign and, now he wants the public to show they mean business and take to the streets this Sunday. "Your hospital has been there for you, it is now time for you to ensure that services continue there in the future," Mr Mulligan commented, adding that a recent meeting with local politicans across all parties has also ratcheted up opposition to the downsizing proposals. "History will view us all on how we look after the vulnerable, the sick or the elderly and if we can't protect the services there now, services that have been there in the worst of times we will have failed our communities," he fumed. The Protest March will begin at 1pm in Society Street, Ballinasloe following the St Patrick's Day Parade route through Main Street and Dunlo Street before congregating for a Rally in the Square. A range of speakers are line up including representatives from IMPACT, SIPTU, Dr John Barton, Ballinasloe Chamber of Commerce, Ballinasloe Mayor Cllr Johnny Walsh, Roscommon Hospital Action Committee and Ballinasloe Action Committee, all expected to voice their support for Portiuncula and the campaign to retain services there. "At a time when the HSE has land for sale in St Brigid's Hospital, the HSE is stripping resources from the community and are not putting anything back," Mr Mulligan. He also issued a message directly to local politicians: "The eyes of the the community are on you, how you react to this major challenge for Portiuncula and Roscommon will determine the community support for you going forward". In February, Minister Mary Harney confirmed that Portiuncula, Roscommon Hospital and University College Hospital Galway would be networked and operated under one management structure with shared doctors and service. Speaking Ballinasloe, she said this did not amount to downgrading the hospital. However, the Minister did say that Portiuncula may not be providing the same services it provides now into the future. "This hospital (Portiuncula) has a fantastic future providing safe services," she said.