WATCH: Thousands march amid downgrade of maternity services at major Irish hospital
People from several counties protest in Ballinasloe
Several thousand people have taken to the streets of Ballinasloe in Galway to protest over, what they say is, a downgrade of maternity and other services at Portiuncula University Hospital.
It is understood that people from both near and far have travelled for the march, which is aimed at wanting a full restoration of maternity and other services in the hospital.
A spokesperson for the Portiuncula Maternity Alliance said on social media: "We will not accept the quiet downgrading of our local hospital maternity services when what’s needed is investment, staffing and upgrading. Bring the care to the people in their local hospital — don’t force mothers, babies and families through traffic to far-off units for vital care.
"The people of the East Galway & Midlands Region have endured years of under-resourced healthcare. We deserve safe, effective, accessible and equitable acute and specialist services — exactly what the Sláintecare model promises. This rally is how we show what our community stands for. #CareCantWait #InvestLocalServices
"A massive shout-out to our incredible volunteers working on the ground to make this happen — you are the heartbeat of this campaign," they concluded.
The peaceful public rally took place on Saturday, August 16 at 12pm and ran through Fairgreen Car Park, Town Hall, Society Street, Dunlo Street, Dunlo Hill and Brackernagh before ending at Portiuncula University Hospital.