This afternoon members of the Save our Crumlin Children’s Hospital Campaign occupied the National Hospital Office of the HSE at Dr Stevens Hospital. They were joined by People Before Profit local election candidates Brid Smith and Cllr Joan Collins.
Brid Smith and Cllr. Joan Collins of People Before Profit alongside Teresa Shallow and Mary Byrne take on the Communications Officer of the HSE
They were protesting at cutbacks at Our Ladys Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin which include the closure of St Josephs ward from today.
Earlier this week the Campaign revealed that the due to a forecasted deficit of €9.6 million, three wards will shut down this year, starting with St Joseph ’s. Two more will close in July and August.
Other cuts include
• Over 7,000 fewer in-patient bed days at the hospital this year. Theatres will also close and there will also be a 15 per cent reduction in day case activity along with a 15 per cent reduction in outpatient activity.
• Two “play” specialists will be lost on May 14th. These specialists are crucially important for many children.
• It is expected that the contracts of 17 household workers will not be renewed in May. There will be cuts in agency staffing and in staff holding temporary contracts, and also in overtime and on-call payments.
The Campaign is demanding that the HSE provide the funds to allow the Hospital to continue to operate at current levels.
Councillor Joan Collins (People Before Profit Alliance) who took part in the occupation said
“It is a disgrace that the State’s largest children’s hospital will not be open for our children this summer. Operations will be cancelled.
Yesterday the Allied Irish Bank accepted a €3.5 billion bailout from the government. Today we want €10 million for Our Ladys. This government has got its priorities all wrong.
The top 10 wealthiest people in this country have €15.5 billion between them. Half of them are tax exiles. I want a wealth levy on these people to pay for the essential services we all need”.
The Save our Crumlin Children’s Hospital Campaign is a locally based campaign in the Crumlin/Drimnagh area. It is supported by Patients Together and the People Before Profit Alliance. The Alliance local election candidates Cllr. Joan Collins and Brid Smith are supporting the Campaign.
The Campaign has called a major protest at Our Ladys for Saturday May 23rd.
For More Information Contact:
Joan Collins 086 3888151
Teresa Shallow 085 2711401
Mary Byrne 087 7999499
Brid Smith 087 9090166
