CAMPAIGNERS SEEKING a reversal of cutbacks at the largest children’s hospital in the State held a series of protests in Dublin at the weekend.
A rally took place outside Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin on Saturday afternoon, and a demonstration during which concerned parents, children and some politician placed teddy bears outside the Dáil continued through Saturday and Sunday.
By yesterday afternoon more than 250 teddies were on the pavement outside Leinster House.
Karen Bodie from Co Meath, the mother of three-year-old Christian, a cardiac patient at Crumlin hospital, was one of the protesters.
Her son was about to undergo heart surgery in October 2006 when it was cancelled 30 minutes before he was to be taken to theatre as there was no intensive care bed available. “It was soul-destroying. We had ourselves psychologically, emotionally and physically prepared.”
They had to prepare themselves all over again two days later when the operation was rescheduled. He is due a further heart operation in October. “At the height of the so-called Celtic boom there were cancellations taking place . . . I dread to think of the level of cancellations there will be now.”
Several parents criticised the fact that money was being spent on bailing out banks.
“I just think money is being mismanaged. I think it’s bad housekeeping by the Government,” said Lynsey Kennedy from Harold’s Cross, Dublin, whose son Daniel was recently treated at Crumlin.
Fianna Fáil TD Charlie O’Connor placed a teddy outside the Dáil. He saw no conflict in showing solidarity with the organisers of the protest as he was part of the Oireachtas health committee which made it clear cuts should not hit frontline services.