Our Hospital is Not For Sale- Save St. Michael's Hospital, Dun laoghaire.

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Saturday July 14, 2007 21:06

by Paula Geraghty

mspgeraghty at yahoo dot ie

Photo report from today's march and Rally in Dun Laoghaire to save St. Michael's Hospital from developers

Campaigning over the future of St Michael's hospital began when it emerged in the last two months that a private developer Noel Smyth and his company Alburn Developments were holding discussions with the St Vincent's Health care group (SVHG), which manages St Michael's on behalf of its owners the Sisters of Charity, about the possible sale or re-location of the hospital

Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Dun Laoghaire today as part of a campaign to save St. Michael's Hospital.
The demonstration was called at a public meeting organised by the People Before Profit Alliance, which took place a number of weeks ago and was attended by almost 400 people

From the press release:
"It was agreed unanimously at the public meeting that the assurances we have recieved from the SVHG were not adequate. While with one breath the SVHG are saying there is no plan to sell or re-locate the hospital with the next breath they say they obliged to consider all options and that the purchase of the car-park by Noel Smyth represents a problem for the hospital.

Even more alarming is the fact that Noel Smyth in comments made to the national newspapers indicated that he was asked to approach SVHG about the possible sale or re-location of the hospital. He does not say who asked him but one would have to suspect the HSE may be in on all this. This would make sense in the context of the governments co-location policy.

"In any event, whatever back room discussions are going on, we want the SVHG, the HSE, the Council, the government and Noel Smyth to understand that St Michael's hospital must stay where it is. We want clear statements that the hospital's sale or re-location is no longer an option. Futhermore, we want the services that have been cut in previous years to be restored and for services generally at the hospital to be upgraded. Our campaign will continue until we get clear and unequivocal assurances on these matters."

images (c)