Galway to host protest march against healthcare cuts

A protest takes place this afternoon, aimed at highlighting cutbacks to health services in the West.

Campaigners are demanding that the Health Service Executive does not impose drastic cuts that will affect patients or services across the region.

This afternoon's protest march and rally at Galway University Hospital comes after Thursday's crunch meeting between the HSE West and local politicians.

At the meeting in Galway, HSE West clinical director Dr David O'Keeffe informed the politicians that he has defied HSE chiefs by refusing to make any more budget cuts, as he says they would compromise patient safety.

Deputy Michael D Higgins said it was critical that communities "stood up and shouted stop", and that efforts such as this afternoon's demonstration should be re-doubled.

HSE West is facing a budget deficit of €65m this year and that HSE says it needs to make cuts across the board.