Thousands expected at Tipperary hospital rally

A huge rally is due to take place in Clonmel, Co Tipperary later today to protest at the closure of acute services at South Tipperary General Hospital.

Up to 10,000 people are expected to take part in the protest march, due to get underway at 3pm.

South Tipperary General Hospital is just three years old and serves a population of around 150,000 people across north and south Tipperary, parts of north Cork and west Waterford.

Last year, the hospital dealt with more than 33,000 admissions.

The HSE is now planning to reconfigure the hospital, but the 'save our hospital action group' which organised today's protest says this effectively means an end to accident and emergency services, general surgery, intensive, critical and coronary care, maternity services and paediatric in-patient services.

Some €45m was invested in the hospital in May in 2007 with the minister for health Mary Harney performing the official opening of the building in May 2008.

The organisers of the rally say the people of Tipperary and neighbouring counties will not allow the downgrading to go ahead.