All the time now we are being told by the Labour Party and Trade Union leadership that there is no real will to fight against the horrendous cuts being implemented.

Why then is has one area of service alone pulled out approximately 100,000 people onto the streets in the last 6 months
.
What sector is this? And why are the mass of workers still flooding the streets?

It is of course the 'save our hospital' campaigns and they are giving a voice to the mounting anger the length and breadth of the country.

Closures

In Dublin, the plan is to close Our Lady's Hospital and Tallaght hospital's children’s ward.

They are selling off public land in St. James' and Beaumount hospitals to make way for private hospitals.

They have tried to viciously attack respite services in Cherry Orchard Hospital but because of the huge resistance, they have failed 3 years in a row.

In Louth they succeeded in closing the A&E, hundreds of people fought for their service.

In Clonmel, 20,000 people came out on the streets to prevent downgrading.

Resistance

In the last 2 weeks we have seen resistance to the cuts in Sligo, Donegal and Roscommon amongst others, all in the attempt to prevent downgrading and/or closures.

On Sunday the 22nd of August, the fighting spirit was soaring in Wexford against the cuts to the 24 hour A&E, Maternity wards and paediatric wards, just the latest in a series of cuts that have already seen wards being closed.

The carnival against cuts raged through city and truly catered for everyone.

There were puppet shows, face painters and even a 'graffiti wall' for the kids and music spanning from cover bands, country, hip-hop and salsa dancers to heavy metal.

The weather was perfect as each fantastic local band or performer took to the stage.

To top it all off, Natty Wailer performed an amazing set ranging from his good friend Bob Marley to his own music.

It was echoed throughout the day how important it is to fight these cuts and the responses from the crowed really summed it up.

Anger at HSE

Socialist Worker spoke to Anne O’Neill, a regional ambulance controller who was very angry at the response from the HSE.

She told us: ”It’s an insult to the highly trained individuals the HSE have at their disposal.

“We haven't been attacked yet but we know it’s only a matter of time, that is why it’s important to show solidarity today.”

She revealed that if the service is downgraded then the county will be split in two sections.
The North of Wexford will go to Loughlinstown and the South to Waterford to get their treatment.
She continued: “Primary care is so important.

“What happens in that first 30 minutes can be crucial.

“Why risk someone’s life by adding an extra half hour to get them treatment”.

Going Private

A woman told us of her trip to a private hospital and the treatment she received.

“I went into Kilcreen to get 2 injections which cost around €1-1500.

“Me and 4 other women were told to wait in Physiotherapy while it was going on.

“I was then brought to a toilet and told to change into a gown, had the procedure, brought back to the toilet to change and was then given a cuppa and toast.

“I am with VHI and was charged €635 for a bed I didn't even see.

“The total bill was nearly €2,000.”

Unity

Although these individual campaigns are thriving, they are still cut off from each other.

There is now a need to unite these campaigns all around the country.

The first meeting for the National Hospital Campaign will take place at 12pm on Saturday the 28th of August in Dublin and will be preparing to come out in Solidarity with the Community sector on the 29th of September.