On 27 November, a massive crowd of 30,000 turned out in Omagh to protest against the run down of Omagh hospital and demand the retention of acute medical services in Tyrone.

People came in their thousands from all over the district including students who were let out of school to attend. Local businesses were forced to close during the protest.

The local politicians were told not to speak except the chairman of the District Council.

Despite this, those who did speak from the campaign failed to spell out any way forward. There was no call for further demonstrations or any other form of follow up action.

The Socialist Party and Socialist Youth were the only groups who gave out independent literature and called for the campaign to be continued. We called for ongoing action with the trade unions centrally involved, building to a one day strike as a follow up.

At the rally we also called for a joint campaign with the people of Fermanagh. We do not advocate a hospital in Omagh at the expense of Enniskillen but joint action to ensure that there are hospitals with acute facilities in both areas.

Despite the almost unanimous opposition as shown by the size of the rally, the Minister is going ahead with the run down of the hospital.

Local politicians have accepted this on the basis that there will be a treatment room, as opposed to an A&E unit. This shows we can’t rely on the politicians but need an independent working class party to fight on our behalf.