Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard has said he is delighted that the campaign to Save the Downe Hospital will this month launch an initiative at Parliament Buildings in Stormont.
The South Down MLA has sponsored the event and has welcomed everyone to attend at lunchtime on Tuesday 21 April.
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Chris Hazzard MLA has sponsored the health reception at Stormont.[/caption]
Mr Hazzard said: “Following on from the huge rally in Downpatrick recently, I am delighted that the campaign to Save the Downe Hospital is taking the fight to the Assembly. I hope that each and every MLA in the Assembly will engage with us on the day, because just as it is the Downe Hospital under attack today, it could quite easily be their local hospital tomorrow.
“We also hope to meet with the Assembly’s Health Committee to provide an up-to-date briefing on the current situation at the Downe Hospital.
“The wider crisis in our Health system concerning over-crowding in the Belfast hospitals, financial mismanagement, centralisation of services, and woeful shortage of ambulance cover directly affects health provision at the Downe Hospital and across the South Down area. On Tuesday 21 April we will send a very strong message to Health Minister Wells that its time to reboot the Downe Hospital and put patients first.”
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Love the Downe Campaign Grows From Strength To Strength…
But Needs Your Support!
The Down Community Health Committee are organising the Love the Downe reception and rally at Stormont. Eamonn McGrady, DCHC Chairman said: “Everyone travelling independently needs to plan to be there at Stormont for 11.15am.
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Health Minister Jim Wells, South Down MLA, right, pictured with Eamonn McGrady, Chairman of the Down Community Health Committee.[/caption]
“Limited free transport will be available. A bus will leave the old Downe Hospital car park at 10.30am sharp. and will return from Stormont immediately after the reception. Those wishing to avail of the free transport MUST pre-book a place by telephoning 028 44 614340 no later than Friday 17 April.
“It is essential that as many people as possible travel to Stormont for the event. All MLA’s will be invited to attend.”
Mr McGrady also explained that the Down Community Health Committee will be launching the People’s Health Manifesto at 11am on Friday 24 April in the St Patrick Centre.
“This event will highlight some of the key elements in the local health campaign that we expect candidates seeking election in the Westminster and Stormont elections should support,” said Mr McGrady. All candidates in the South Down and Strangford constituencies will be invited to sign up to the health manifesto.
“This is a short public event and again we invite as many citizens as possible to come along and support this event in the St Patrick centre.
“We also need to ensure that as many people as possible respond to the Donaldson Report.
“Health is something that we all have a common interest in… our own health, our loved ones and our friends and people in our community.
“We had a fantastic turn out to the Love the Downe Rally a few weeks ago. But it does not end there. That was just a milestone on the road for our area to win back its essential health services.
“It may be a long road but one that we all need to walk together.”
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