Saved by the Downe man backs the rally

Saved by the Downe man backs the rally

4 February 2015

A DOWNPATRICK man has issued an impassioned plea to people across the district to take part in next weekend’s Love the Downe rally in the town.

Aidan Campbell owes his life to the Downe Hospital and says had it not been for its medical staff he would not be preparing to take part in the February 14 event which is being billed as the most important ever to be held in support of the local hospital.

Organisers are predicting the event will be the biggest of its kind ever seen in the district with local people and hospital staff being joined by politicians, representatives from community groups, sports clubs, the farming and business communities.

Mr. Campbell’s appeal for everyone across the district to support the event comes exactly five years after he had major surgery after suffering a heart attack at his home.

He was rushed to the Downe Hospital where he was treated by staff before being transferred to the City Hospital for major surgery. Mr. Campbell insists that had he not been initially taken to the Downe he would not be alive today.

The Downpatrick man said next week’s parade will send out a clear signal to the decision makers that people in Down District will not stand back and allow the “emaciation” of their hospital services.

Mr. Campbell said he is greatly concerned at the recent decision to axe the Downe Hospital’s dedicated coronary care ward and fears for the long term future of the hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation service.

“I am here today because of the Downe Hospital. The hospital saved my life and I will be forever grateful to the staff who work there. They are superb and despite the many blows the hospital has received, staff continue to deliver a very professional service,” he said.

“I am passionate about the Downe Hospital delivering the services the people of this area need, not least coronary care and 24-hour accident and emergency provision, but am concerned at the constant chipping away of our hospital services.”

Mr. Campbell said the Downe is being undermined by the very people charged with delivering health care in the area, warning that removing hospital services impacts on the community, staff and the local economy. 

“Next Saturday’s rally is the last chance the people of this district have to unite like never before in support and defence of their hospital,” he declared. “My message to people is be there.

“We have to make a stand and fight for a hospital delivering the services we were promised in one of the few 21st century hospitals in Northern Ireland. The Downe and the people of this district deserve better. Major investment is going to other hospitals while less and less is being spent on the Downe. 

“We have a major commercial fishing port in Ardglass just a few miles from the hospital and a huge agricultural industry. The people who work in these professions need their local hospital close at hand.”

Mr. Campbell has described the February 14 rally as a “defining event” in the history of the Downe Hospital campaign and is urging young people in particular to get involved.

He added: “Like many things in life, you don’t really know how much you need something until it is gone. We must not allow that to happen in the case of the Downe.

“I will be at the Love the Downe rally and encourage the people of this district to be there en masse. We have a health system which requires fundamental change. We need more hospital care and less bureaucracy. We have too many health trusts. Cut the trusts and the bureaucrats, not the hospitals our people need and deserve.”