Thousands of people took part in a protest through Tallaght in October against the threat to close Tallaght Children’s Hospital. The protest was sparked by fears that Tallaght will lose most of its children’s services because of the decision to build a major National Children’s Hospital at the Mater.

Over 30,000 children were cared for last year in Tallaght. If the children’s services were closed, these children and their families would be forced to travel to the Mater in the city centre. There is also concern that if Tallaght loses the children’s services, it could lead to further cutbacks and the downgrading of the hospital.

The McKenzie report makes the case for one central children’s hospital. We agree with the specialisation of services, however local services, including children’s wards must be maintained. There is enough money in the country to achieve this – at the moment though it is being given in subsidies and tax breaks to private hospitals!

The threat to Tallaght Hospital is a serious one, which must be met by a serious response from the community and health workers’ unions. While the cuts in services may not happen until the National Children’s Hospital at the Mater is completed, the government is hoping to have the idea of cutbacks in Tallaght accepted now. People should not accept any attacks on Tallaght Children’s hospital.
In the run-up to the next General Election, all the parties should be asked to give an undertaking not to undermine Tallaght Children’s hospital. We know, however, that none of the other parties can be trusted to keep their promises, and the only guarantee will be to start building an active campaign of residents and the health workers’ unions demanding the retention of full children’s services in Tallaght.