Final preparations for 18 hospital protests being made

Final preparations are being put in place for protests outside 18 separate hospitals, including in Mullingar, tomorrow, Saturday January 21.

Meath West TD, Peadar Tóibín, who is cathaoirleach of the Save Navan Hospital Campaign said the protests are unprecedented.

“Never before have so many hospital campaigns coordinated protests throughout the state – 18 protests will take place in total.

“One we can all be sure of is that one day we will need a ED. People are incredibly angry and frustrated that the old and the sick have been treated horrendously. The experience of so many has been massively damaged by the lack of capacity in the ED system.

“Much of the damage has been caused by the policy of closing EDs, beds and the lack of provision of doctors, nurses and consultants.

“The policy of service closure is still in place in Navan ED. Many people have lost their lives and the health of thousands has been damaged.

“It is not going to change unless the policy changes at the top of the HSE and the government.”

As well as at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar, there will be protests at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Limerick University Hospital, Cork University Hospital, Kerry University Hospital, Galway hospital, Mayo General Hospital, Sligo University Hospital, Letterkenny University Hospital, Causeway Coast, Colraine, Craigavon Hospital, Daisy Hill Hospital, Monaghan Hospital, Cavan Hospital, Mullingar Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Naas Hospital and Wexford General Hospital.

All protest will be outside the hospitals at 1pm, except in Limerick, where a march will start at 11am at City Hall on Merchants Quay.

Deputy Tóibín, who is also leader of Aontú, said: “Thousands of people will be protesting right around the country. We urge people to take a stand and send a message loud and clear that we will no longer tolerate this health disaster in our lives.”