EU Candidate, Cllr Toireasa Ferris, today called on the Minister for Health to guarantee Bantry Hospital as a key mainstay in health provision for the West Cork/South Kerry region.  She said the huge turnout in Castletownbere on Saturday was an indication of the depth of feeling in the region over the issue.

Toireasa Ferris said: “Two handwritten placards in a car belonging an elderly couple illustrate the range of feelings at the demonstration calling for the development rather than downgrading of Bantry Hospital.  One said “Rural Ireland is being crucified and left to die”.  The other said “Don’t do this to us we are old.”

“Bantry Hospital is a vital part of health provision in the West Cork/Kerry region. The arguments for continuing to develop the hospital are I believe, irrefutable.  The region is at least two to three hours away from Cork regional or Tralee hospital and medical opinion indicates an immediate rise in deaths of an average of 24 car accident victims per year if the hospital is downgraded.”

“Already the hospital is being attacked with the closure of acute bed units.  The political unity on the platform in Castletownbere on Saturday shows not just the widespread anger, but the determination by the people of West Cork and South Kerry to keep this hospital as a central part of the health care system in the area.”

“This is a political issue, albeit a cross party one.  The number crunchers in Dublin must be made aware that we will not stand for the downgrading of Bantry Hospital”