SF: Downgrading of Waterford hospital will cost lives

More than 10,000 people have taken part in a protest in Waterford city against any proposals to downgrade Waterford Regional Hospital.

It is feared the services at the hospital could be downgraded, as a means to cutting costs within the HSE.

However the Health Minister James Reilly has said that he is committed to keeping both cancer and trauma services in place at the hospital.

Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane, speaking after the rally, said: "The downgrading of Waterford Regional Hospital will decimate services such as cancer care, trauma and cardiology. It will force patients from across the south-east to travel to Cork and Dublin to hospitals already stretched from cutbacks.

"It will cost lives and cost jobs. The turnout for today’s march, more than 10,000 people, shows the level of opposition to this downgrading and the government needs to take note."