It is time to stand up for our hospital

IN 2011 the Ulster Star, Lisburn City Council, Trade Unions, staff and the whole of Lisburn came together to stand up for our hospital.

We believed we had won that fight when the Trust agreed to ensure 24 hour access was returned to the Lagan Valley A&E department with the construction of a brand new, multi-million pound out of hours GP surgery at the hospital.

However, the latest revelations by the Trust that the A&E is to close at weekends, show that 24 hour access is as far away as ever and now, once again, the whole of Lisburn must stand together in support of the Lagan Valley Hospital and insist that rather than being continually cut back, the hours must be increased.

Today (Friday) from 12noon until 2pm Unison will be holding a protest outside the Lagan Valley Hospital and it is hoped that the people of Lisburn will turn out to support this vital facility.

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said it is vital that local people show their support for the hospital.

“It really is time for the community to come together and make it clear to the Trust that we won’t settle for second best when it comes to our local hospital services,” said mr Doanldson.

“We have rallied to the cause before and I have no doubt the community will not be found wanting.”