Thousands march to demand full maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital

In one of the largest demonstrations Ballinasloe has seen in years, thousands of people from across Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Offaly, Longford, Tipperary and beyond flooded the streets of the town on Saturday, August 16 to demand the protection and reinstatement of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH). 

Estimates put it at 3500 filling the streets with a rally that took 45 minutes from front to end to file past the wide streets of Ballinasloe. 

The Famous Fairgreen was opened for crowd parking and buses came from surrounding areas such as Loughrea. Special Garda Traffic unit in attendance to assist the many willing volunteers and stewards manage crowd safety. Many comments were made that it was an extremely well managed event. 

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The marchers, chanting “Care Can’t Wait — Reinstate!”, wound their way through the town before gathering outside the hospital gates for speeches that blended emotion, anger, and determination.

Cllr Evelyn Parsons, a founding member of the Portiuncula Maternity Alliance (PMA), welcomed the huge crowd and told them that by turning out in their thousands, they had all become part of the movement.

“Today you are all members of the Portiuncula Maternity Alliance. We stand together, as one, and we will not be silenced. If this downgrade is not reversed, if services are not fully reinstated, then government politicians must look within and ask- who do I serve? What do I want for my constituents? Do I stand with the people who elected me — or do I stand with a government dismantling rural healthcare?”

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Cllr Parsons laid down a stark challenge to public representatives, warning that political pressure must be applied and that there will be “personal political pain” for those who continue to support the government if the downgrade proceeds. She went further, calling on opposition members to consider if the downgrade is not halted whether warrants a motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health.

Other speakers included Dr Kevin Connolly, retired Paediatrician, who spoke of the crucial role PUH plays in safeguarding mothers and babies, and that “this downgrade decision is wrong” and John Hanniffy, who reflected on the strong focussed committee who drove the successful campaign that saved Portlaoise Maternity Unit. John Hanniffy’s message was clear-  “When communities stand together with determination, real change is possible.”

The rally also heard powerful and emotional testimonies from families affected by recent reviews. One mother described being forced to travel while high-risk as “a terrifying gamble with our lives, and our babies’ lives, on the road.” Another family praised Portiuncula’s midwives for saving their newborn’s life, but condemned the HSE for using their case as a “scapegoat” to justify downgrading the unit.

The presence of many local and national politicians underscored the growing political pressure — but organisers made clear that sympathy is not enough. What is needed is action.

The Portiuncula Maternity Alliance outlined its demands:

• Full reinstatement of maternity services at PUH

• Implementation of the Walker Report and all safety recommendations

• Proper staffing, resources, and respect for nurses, midwives, and doctors

• An answer as to why PUH is the only Level 3 Hospital in the country which had not been resourced with a business manager

• An independent external review of maternity networks and governance issues including responsibilities & failings with UHG.

Organisers confirmed that the campaign will now escalate further. The region is vast and the movement will grow across the counties affected across the Midlands as awareness & anger builds with potential for rallies in each of the towns and counties affected. Thousands more petition cards were signed at the rally, leading to an immediate reprint to meet demand. While a meeting with the Minister for Health has been formally requested, no date has been confirmed and no direct response received.