South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has demanded that the NI Executive pay attention to the will of the people in respect to the future of the Downe Hospital.
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South Down MLA Séan Rogers, past chairman of the Down Community Health Committee, Hugh Maxwell, Margaret Ritchie MP and South Down MLA Karen McKevitt.[/caption]
Speaking after a march in support of the resumption of key services at the Downe, Ms Ritchie asserted that the march was a clear sign that the residents of South Downe would not accept any cuts to this essential service.
She said: “This march was extremely successful and sends a clear message to the Health Minister that he must restore, enhance and develop services at the Downe. The people who showed their support here today will not accept anything less.
“We make our call again for the Minister to re-examine the direction he intends to take healthcare provision across the North. We call for the resumption of coronary care in the Downe and an end to the overs-saturation of essential services in urban areas.
“Today was a demonstration of solidarity across the area with people coming from far and wide to show their support. While we are realistic and know that cuts in public spending must affect us in some way, the Health minister has demonstrated a complete lack of awareness in relation to the needs of rural communities. The people of South Downe will stand together in the face of draconian cuts to vital services, added Ms Ritchie.
Huge Rally A Testament To Local Demand For Downe Future Says Hazzard
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Sinn Féin members supporting the march and rally. Included is Chris Hazzard MLA, Westminster candidate for South Down.[/caption]
South Down MLA Chris Hazzard said that yesterday’s huge rally in Downpatrick was proof that local people are fully behind the ‘Save Downe’ campaign and want an enhanced local hospital based in Downpatrick.
The Sinn Féin representative said: “It was fantastic to see thousands of people on the streets of Downpatrick today in support of the Downe Hospital – for too long they have witnessed the centralisation of vital services to the Belfast hospitals – today was their day to say enough is enough.
“South Eastern Trust officials must listen to the pleas made today to utilise our brilliant staff and facilities at the Downe – we want to see a vibrant hospital with a vibrant future – what we are being offered is not good enough.
“It is clear that Trust officials and the Minister Jim Wells need to go back to the drawing board and deliver for the Downe.”
Mr Hazzard added: “We are fully aware of the need for considered plans in light of difficult economic times, but we are only asking for a very small slice of the pie.
“In recent years the Ulster Hospital has received literally hundreds of millions of pounds in investment in new facilities – we are only asking the Trust to utilise what they already have in Downpatrick.”
Councillor Patrick Clarke Says Public Rally Proves Overwhelming Case For Downe Hospital
Independent Down Councillor Patrick Clarke said the many thousands of people who attended the Love Downe Rally in Downpatrick was a clear endorsement to restore, enhance and develop services at the Downe.
He added: “If ever there was such an overwhelming case for the retention of 24/7 A & E services, coronary care and front line health care services it is now given the many thousands of people who have spoken with their feet and took to the streets to save the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick to
“The public rally to show support for the Downe Hospital must be taken notice of by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Trust, the Health Minister and the Northern Ireland Executive regarding protecting front line health care services and to ensure that people living outside Belfast have the same standard of health care provision.
“The people of Down and Mourne simply want and expect a Hospital that can serve the needs of the large rural population providing the necessary front line health care services such as 24/7 a & e without having health services removed from the Downe Hospital in favour of centralisation to Belfast Hospitals.”
“Can I pay tribute and warmly congratulate the Down Community Health Committee and all parties and individuals as well as the many volunteers who helped organise the Love Down Rally which has helped galvanise and show solidarity for the Downe Hospital.”
Devlin Says Rally Was Superb
SDLP Councillor for The Mournes, Laura Devlin, has spoken out following the #savethedowne rally in Downpatrick on Saturday. Cllr Devlin said: “I was delighted to be at the Rally with many of my colleagues showing our support for the amazing care that is delivered by our frontline staff. “The Downe hospital is state-of-the-art and it is unacceptable that services continued to be stripped away. “I want to put on record my praise and thanks to the Down Community Health Committee who organised the event in tandem with Down Council.” Rogers Says Clear Message Sent To The Health MinisterSpeaking just after the rally, the SDLP South Down MLA Seán Rogers said: “The people of South Down have issued a clear and unambiguous message to the Minister.
“The Downe hospital is the peoples hospital and amongst the crowds here today there is a very real, tangible feeling of united ownership.
“Any attempts to downsize, reduce services or make further cuts at the Downe will simply be deemed unacceptable”.
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