Over 200 in Kells for Save Navan Hospital Rally

Well over 200 people from all walks of life came out to support the Save Navan Hospital Campaign at their rally in Kells on Friday last. Among those who joined in support of the rally was Fianna Fail leader, Micheál Martin, who was in Meath to attend a party function in Slane later that night. The rally was addressed by the chair, Deputy Peadar Tóibín, Senator Thomas Byrne, Cllr Tommy Grimes and Cllr Brian Curran. Workers from Tara Mines, the Order of Malta, Meath River Rescue, members of the IFA and football, soccer and motor racing clubs, local businesses and many more came out to support the campaign. Deputy Tóibín said 'the government had introduced a number of savage cuts to the health service in Meath and Louth. "They are removing all agency staff - nurses, speech therapists, lab technicians and orderlies," he said. He pointed out that all overtime was being done away with. "This will happen before the 1st of December. It is forcing the closure of beds throughout the north east and we saw the closure of a whole ward in Navan at the start of October". "Two weeks ago over 60 people waited on trolleys in Drogheda and last Friday Drogheda was second worst in the state with regards a trolley count. "The Save Navan Hospital Campaign is a cross party, democratic and open campaign. People are entitled to come in off the street and have their say. No individual from any party has the right to veto the decisions of the campaign," he said. A further protest will take place in Athboy this Friday.