A previous protest at Navan Hospital

A monster rally in support of Our Lady's Hospital in Navan will take place in November, if Health Minister James Reilly fails to meet with the local campaigners.

The Save Navan Hospital Campaign is hosting a public meeting in the Newgrange Hotel Navan at 730pm this Thursday.

Campaign Chairman, Deputy Peadar Toibin, has written to all government TDs in County Meath to seek their support for an urgent meeting with Minister Reilly to express opposition to ongoing cuts in Our Lady's.

He said if this meeting with the Minister does not take place immediately, the campaign will shortly be announcing dates for public protests in defence of the hospital

These demonstrations will take place in towns across County Meath over the coming weeks, culminating in a "monster rally" in November.

In the past week, 13 beds in the hospital have been closed and rolling cutbacks are scheduled to continue over the coming months.

Deputy Tóibín said the campaign would be very grateful of the support of local community groups, sporting organisations and regional employers in organising these events.

"We hope that representatives of these organisations as well as members of the public will be able to attend on Thursday.

"Once again, we would like to thank the people of Meath for their wonderful support for our campaign to date. They may rest assured that we will not rest until the future of our local hospital is secured," he said.