THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have turned out for a rally in support of Waterford Regional Hospital.

It is estimated that around 10,000 turned out in protest against recent proposals to downgrade the hospital to a county hospital. The major acute hospital currently serves the people of Waterford city and the wider South East region, but the proposals would see the hospital’s structure broken up and aligned with Cork University Hospital.

A new South East Hospital Action Group has been set up, which includes hospital consultants, business leaders, trade unionists and others . The group will brief members of the Dáil on the issue on Tuesday.

Sinn Féin Waterford-based Senator David Cullinane, who is marching today, told TheJournal.ie that there was a “fantastic turnout” with about 10,000 people marching in Waterford. “No doubt a solid message is being sent to the government that people of the South East will not accepting the downgrading of the hospital,” he said.

According to the Senator, the crowd includes people from surrounding counties such as Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary and Wexford. Cullinane said that there were “no political placards” and it was a community-based campaign.

The Senator said people are saying “save our hospital services, save our cancer services, save our regional hospital. “The regional hospital is for all the people across the region, is the solid message being given out,” he said.

It is not about Waterford alone; it is about all the people across the South East region. People are walking in solidarity from all political parties and none.

Senator Cullinane said that the government “have to listen to the message from the people”.

We just want to hold on to what we have. All hospitals are under fierce pressure with cutbacks. This is about protecting regional status

Read: Proposals to downgrade Waterford Regional Hospital to county status>