In a statement the Trades Council says: "Due to lack of clarity on what these cuts would actual entail the Trades Council organised a rally to show its support for the patients and staff of St. Josephs District Hospital Ballina.
"Our concerns were shared by the community in general as demonstrated by the massive turn out at this demonstration on February 5th. Local Garda sources estimated the turnout to be in the region of 1500 people.
"We would like to thank all people who attend this march and particularly the local community organization who supported this drive such as Ballina Active Retirement Group; Friends of St. Josephs; The Over 55s Club; The ICA; the Heart Group; Cancer Group; Ballina Mental Health Association; Jobs for Ballina and members of the INMO.
"We would also like to thank the speakers on the day who gave of their time: the Mayor Peter Clarke; Rosemary Armstrong; Des McAndrew; Mary Keane; Cait Murray; Cathal O’Shea; Matt Farrell, John O’Mahony T.D.; Michelle Mulherin T.D. and Dara Calleary T.D.
"We would like to thank our local media (radio, print and digital) for their support in highlighting our concerns
"St. Joseph's Hospital Ballina is now a 50 bed hospital, it narrowly avoided becoming a 36 bed hospital due to intense focus and negotiations by the HSE, SIPTU and staff to resolve industrial concerns. We are grateful to all who contributed in any way to this successful outcome.
"We as a Trades Council intend to continue to campaign to get the 12 beds that were lost back for our community hospital and to continue to highlight the potential threats to the Psychiatric Unit or further loss of beds in St. Augustines Nursing Home," the statement cloncludes.
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