As 2023 draws to a close, we thought it fitting to remember a very special stand out event from the Daisy Hill Hospital Campaign in 2023 – by returning to the SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee Public Rally in Newry on 25 June 2023 to feature some of the speeches spoken from the platform.

Over 10,000 men, women and children came out to support SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee by gathering in Marcus Square for speeches and then a people’s march up to Daisy Hill Hospital, applause for the staff and a walk right around the hospital complex to form a “ring of steel” of people.

A number of excellent speakers spoke to the assembled crowd at the Rally in Marcus Square, and audio of three of the speakers is available here – Pls click on the links to listen:

Francis Gallagher Chairperson of SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee

Tanya Killen President of NIPSA (Northern Ireland Public Service Association)

Deborah Yapicioz UNISON

Eddy Curtis SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee

As we remember that day and listen to some of the available inspirational speeches, is a reminder of the enthusiasm, strength of feeling and determination that exists in the community and beyond to continue to challenge unfair decisions like the removal of core emergency services and beds and the failure of the Southern Trust and others to properly invest, plan or recruit for Daisy Hill Acute Area Hospital, Newry.

The words and actions of this Public Rally in June encourage us to look forward with positivity and with determination for the future of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in 2024.

Summed up by Mr Eddy Curtis from SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee from the Rally platform that day, here are some extracts from his speech:

“We have to continue battling and fighting and putting our best foot forward – to say the people of Newry & Mourne and South Armagh will not accept anything less than an international quality of health that you deserve.

 We are asking all families and their children to lead the parade, because at the end of the day – they are the future of our region and they are the people who are going to need health services.

We are going to walk right round the hospital – to put a ring of steel on it and let them see– it’s ours – you cannot touch it – you have to invest in it.”

Eddy Curtis (SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee)

Population info

GP registers in NI : Newry & District has 160,615 patients (2nd highest in NI (after only Derry), including the 2nd highest number of children in NI under 18, with (36,228 ) (Source DOH 2023)

For more on this topic:

OUR HEALTH SERVICE, OUR ACUTE HOSPITALS – PAID FOR WITH OUR PUBLIC MONEY – see: https://wordpress.com/post/savedaisyhillhospital.com/4163

Real Need for Hospital Services and Specialist Acute Inpatient Beds in Newry Region – see: https://wordpress.com/post/savedaisyhillhospital.com/4012

Text, graphics and logo ©Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2024.

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com (Daisy Hill Hospital for Life) and Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you! We welcome sharing.

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