Thousands expected to join health service protest

Tens of thousands of people are expected to join a mass rally in Dublin today to demand improvements to the public health service.

Trade unions, patient and hospital groups have called on the public to take to the streets of the capital to demonstrate their anger and frustration at the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Due to begin at 3pm, the public will assemble at the Garden of Remembrance before marching to Leinster House.

The rally will be addressed by a range of speakers including Janette Byrne from Patients Together, Conor MacLiam, husband of Susie Long and Dr Orla Hardiman, consultant neurologist, Doctors Alliance for Better Healthcare.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and the party's health spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan will also be present.

The rally is also supported by The Dublin Council of Trade Unions, Youth committee ICTU, Patients Together, SIPTU, Impact, Doctor's Alliance, Irish Nurses Organisation, Health Service Action Group, Friends of St Luke's, Save Our Lady's hospital, Susie Long's family and many more groups.