Closure of St Brigid’s Ward in Loughlinstown Hospital completely unacceptable

The People Before Profit Alliance learnt yesterday of plans to close St. Brigid’s Ward in Loughlinstown Hospital. This move by the HSE is a direct result of cuts in the department of health stemming from last October’s Budget.

St Brigid’s Ward is a general ward in the hospital and its closure will mean the loss of at least 18 beds.

Hugh Lewis, People Before Profit Alliance (PBPA) Representative in the Ballybrack ward, says: “This closure is completely unacceptable. It is an utter disgrace that our health service, which is already in a shambles, is being forced to make further cuts. In an economic crisis a decent public health service is needed more than ever. The money that is being used to bail out the banks should instead be used to fund vital services, in particular, the health service. Once again it is the most vulnerable in society that have to shoulder the burden of our economic crisis. PBPA will immediately be organising meetings to discuss how we can stop this closure.”

Hugh Lewis, PBPA, Ballybrack

The recent budget included an increase in the health levy that all PAYE workers already pay. This increase is grossly unfair because it once again forces ordinary people to make up the shortfall in public finances. It also now seems that an extra health levy is going to make no difference to cuts in the health service.

 

Richard Boyd Barrett, PBPA, Dun Laoghaire

Richard Boyd Barrett, PBPA representative in Dun Laoghaire ward, says: “2 years ago there was an attempt to shut St Michael’s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. Thanks to the thousands of people that signed our petitions and got on the streets to protest, we managed to stop the closure. We need to do the same for Loughlinstown. There is no need for this closure – there is more than enough money still in this country. The super-rich are still being allowed to avail of tax havens and there has been no attempt to levy their wealth.”