The hollow rhetoric of ‘centres of excellence’ - unmasking the national cancer strategy

The following is a speech at the recent protest to Save St Luke’s hospital given by Maire O’Connor (Press Officer, Health Services Action Group & author of “Emergency: Irish hospitals in chaos”

The news that St Luke’s Hospital was going to close was first heard from a property developer, I was told. Some time later, in July 2005, Mary Harney made the official announcement. Since then, there have been ongoing protests, all ignored by a Government increasingly out of touch with the people.

But whether or not property developers knew before the rest of us that Luke’s was to close, there is no doubting this Government’s intention to privatise cancer care. We have been trading in health care since 1953, when public hospitals were first allowed to divide their beds into public, private and semi-private. But is it only in the last 17 years that we have seen the galloping privatisation of our health services. Cancer care has been singled out as one of the profitable areas.

Hundreds march to Save St Luke’s Cancer Hospital, Rathgar

Over 200 people marched through Rathmines and into the city centre on June 7th to Save St Lukes Cancer Hospital in Rathgar.

The march was addressed by Marie Harford, Ciaran Behan and Rory Hearne (all Save St Lukes Campaign Committee), Marie O Connor (Health Services Action Group), SIPTU Rep from St Lukes Hospital & Des Derwin (Dublin Council of Trade Unions)

St Luke’s Cancer Hospital Campaign disappointed with lack of support from Chris Andrews T.D and John Gormley T.D

The Save St Luke’s Campaign held a photo shoot at St Luke’s Cancer Hospital Rathgar this Saturday May 10th at 1pm to raise awareness about a protest march being organised on June 7th and to call on local political representatives to support the campaign to save the hospital.

Failure of Government TD’s and Minister

The Save St Luke’s Cancer Hospital Campaign contacted the two Government T.D.s, Chris Andrews, Fianna Fail TD and John Gormley, TD, in whose constituency St Luke’s is located, to ascertain their position on closure of cancer services at St Luke’s Cancer Hospital Rathgar.

Protest Against Closure of St Lukes

Lobby Brian Cowen and the Dail for a decent public health service

Campaign for a Decent Public Health Service

Lobby by trade unionists, patients’, hospital and health groups

Wednesday 7th May 2008, 1 –2 p.m,

Dáil Eireann, Dublin

Supported by:

Dublin Council of Trade Unions
Youth Committee ICTU
Patients Together

Des Derwin, President, Dublin Council of Trade Unions: 087 6229686 or dctuhealth@gmail.com

At the Campaign’s Representative Conference on 26th April one of the activities agreed on was to lobby the Dáil for a decent public health service on the occasion of Brian Cowen’s elevation to Taoiseach on Wednesday 7th May. The lobby will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Leinster House,Kildare Street.

The Campaign for A Decent Public Health Service march in Dublin on 29th March united trade unions, patients’ and hospital groups, health professionals and people from various regions in a demand for a health service accessible to all in need.

Since then there have been more scandals and a determined programme of disimprovement, cutbacks and hospital downgrades by the government and the HSE. They are determined, but so are we. In the next while we shall be publicising our timetable of major campaign activities for the coming months.

Campaign confronts Minister Harney over Luke’s Closure

At a health debate in Trinity College the Save St Luke’s Campaign in Dublin confronted the Minister over plans to close St Luke’s Cancer Hospital.

Minister for Health, Mary Harney, refuses to meet cancer hospital campaign

The Save St Luke’s Campaign, expressed considerable disapointment today at being told by the Minister for Health that she is not available to meet a delegation from the campaign.

The Campaign has been requesting a meeting for a number of months and was informed recently that, “Unfortunately due to a very heavy schedule of Government and Departmental business over the coming weeks and months, the Minister regrets that she will not be in a position to meet with this deputation.”

Save St Lukes on Health March

The Dublin Save St Lukes Campaign distributed 1,000 leaflets on the campaign to save Luke’s Cancer hospital to people on the National Health March.

A public demonstration in support of Luke’s Hospital was announced at the event.

Save St Luke’s Protest March

1.30pm, Saturday June 7th
Assemble Upper Rathmines Road (Opposite Tesco)

Marching to the Central Bank, Dame Street.

Please support.

Press Release: St Luke’s Campaign supports Health march

Press Release: 28/03/08

St Luke’s Campaign supports Health march

This Saturday supporters of the St Luke’s Hospital Campaign Dublin will march with the Dublin Council of Trade Union’s Health March from Parnell Square.

SAVE ST LUKES Rally & March

1.30pm, Saturday June 7th
Assemble Upper Rathmines Road (Opposite Tesco)

Marching to the Central Bank, Dame Street.
Please support.