Sinn Féin to remain vigilant over Wexford General Hospital

Following on from recent assurances by a local government TD that Wexford General Hospital is safe from any form of downgrading, and other information that came to light today, Sinn Féin has put its weekly protest outside our county hospital on pause.  Speaking at last Saturdays protest, Cllr Anthony Kelly said that his party was calling off the protests for now, but would remain extremely vigilant, promising a fresh campaign of escalated protests if the government broke its promises concerning Wexford General.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Following on from government promises made by a local Fine Gael Deputy last week concerning the safeguarding of Wexford General Hospital from any form of downgrading, and after receiving new information concerning the future of operating theatre 2 earlier today, Wexford Sinn Féin is putting its weekly protests outside our hospital on pause.  Sinn Féin will remain highly vigilant, and at the first sign of any form of downgrading at Wexford General, we will initiate a fresh campaign of escalated protests."

"Though we put our weekly protests on ice, our campaign to reopen operating theatre 2 has not ended.  Signatures are still been collected for the campaigns petition across this county, and it is my intention to lead the delegation that brings those petitions to Leinster House next month."

"Sinn Féin welcomes the government's promise to protect all services at Wexford General Hospital and at Waterford Regional Hospital.  Both hospitals play integral roles in this region, and full services must be preserved at both.  Securing Waterford as a regional hospital is not an excuse to pilfer vital services out of Wexford."

"I would like to thank the people of County Wexford for their continued support for the campaign to protect our hospital.  We all know that further cuts are coming to the national health budget, but if the Waterford rally last week showed us anything it is that people power can force governments to back down on poor decisions.  Together we will safe guard County Wexford's health services into the uncertain years that lay ahead."