Vigil of light in protest against threat to health service

A vigil of light will take place next week in protest against any realignment of hospitals in the South-East as part of a continuing campaign to retain health services in the region.

The public protest is being organised by Andrea Galgey and Gillian Corcoran of the Save Waterford campaign, who recently organised the march which brought up to 15,000 people onto the city’s streets.

The campaign is in response to speculation the South-East’s hospital network could be realigned on foot of an expert group report due to be considered by the Government before Christmas.

Protesters fear any such realignment could mean the loss of hospital services in the region and downgrading of Waterford Regional Hospital.

The next major event is a “vigil of light” surrounding the hospital at 4.30pm on Dec 8.

“Everyone is being asked to bring a glo-stick or battery candle and wear their county colours on the day,” said the organisers.

The march will start at Tesco Ardkeen car park and do a circuit of the hospital. The protesters will form “a protective circle of light” around the hospital, sending a message to say the region will not let its services be removed.

“This protest is peaceful and non-political,” said Ms Corcoran. “We welcome families, men, women and children; we do not welcome political agendas or banners. There will be a Garda presence at the event to manage traffic and to ensure ambulances can get access to the hospital. The protest aims to help, not hinder the hospital.”

She said the South-East has a patient population of almost 500,000.

“This is internationally recognised as being the minimum critical mass required to support a regional hospital with tertiary services and specialities. Splitting up the south-east region will ultimately reduce the availability of crucial treatments available within the region.”

The “human impact” is what motivated the organisers to take action, the lobby group said.

“We are not going to lie down and take it,” said Ms Galgey. “We will keep this in the public eye and media until we get a satisfactory answer. We will protect our hospital and the lives of our families that depend on that hospital and its services.”