Protests held outside Navan and Drogheda hospitals against HSE plans to downgrade A&E services at Our Lady's

Protestors braved Arctic conditions outside Navan Hospital today to make their voices heard against HSE plans to freeze out emergency services at Our Lady's.

Organised by the Save Navan Hospital Campaign and following on from another packed public meeting held in Navan last week, over 150 people held placards and banners and demanding Health Minister Stephen Donnelly order the HSE to halt plans to downgrade the A&E service and reverse ambulance protocols that come into effect on Wednesday that will effectively see all but the most minor of injuries, diverted to Drogheda.

The protest heard from Deputy Peadar Toibin while also in attendance were Deputies Darren O'Rourke and Johnny Guirke; Cllrs Elaine McGinty (Lab), Tommy Reilly (FF), Emer Toibin, (Aontu), Michael Gallagher (Sinn Fein), Gillian Toole, (Ind) and Paddy Meade (FG).

"We have chaos currently in the whole A&E system in this whole region and it's not just our hospital, every other ED across the region is being affected. So we are saying to the HSE and Minister very, very clearly, we will ratchet up this campaign and make it a national campaign unless the HSE back off and invest in our A&E," said Deputy Toibin.

SIPTU leaders John Regan, flanked by miners, addressed the protest and spoke about how there was an essential need for an A&E in Navan because of the proximity of Tara Mines which directly employs over 600 people. He said that in the event of an accident at the mines, a hospital on the doorsteop was vital rather than having to transport people 40 minutes away to Drogheda.

"Tara Mines has contributed to this county for over 40 years and it has paid a lot of revenue into the coffers of the Government. There's 40 more years if a mine left out there at Tara Mines and a mine cannot fully function without a 24/7 A&E close by. It (HSE plans) is madness for the miners and madness for the whole community."

A simultaneous protest also took place in Drogheda where a small group of people braved the icy conditions to protest outside about overcrowding and staffing issues at the Lourdes Hospital. The protest took place at the main gates of the hospital and included a number of the hospital's staff during their lunch hour. The protesters were led by hospital campaigner former Mayor Michael O'Dowd and included the present Mayor of Drogheda Councillor Michelle Hall, TDs Ged Nash (Lab) Imelda Minster (SF) and independent councillor Paddy McQuillan. They carried posters saying "Please Santa more doctors, more nurses, more beds and our sick children deserve better and we need a proper A&E all year round".

Drivers in passing vehicles blew their horns in support.

The Meath Chronicle has contacted (several times) the HSE and the Minister's office for comment.

More to follow later online with full coverage in Tuesday's paper