Stop the Health Cuts protest organiser Shaun Harkin has sent an open appeal to all political parties, councillors, trade unions, community organisations etc. in Derry to mobilise for the protest against health cuts on September 26 at 6pm at the Verbal Arts Centre.

Mr Harkin said: "The proposed £70 million in cuts to the health service could have a potentially life threatening impact. The impact of the Western Trust's £12.5 cuts is already forewarned with the closure of a residential home, fewer surgeries, longer waiting lists, a reduction of domicillary care, the lay-off of workers and the suspension of other critical services.

"As a society, we all depend on our health service. All of us know the impact of relentless cuts over the last two decades. For those who are driving forward austerity it is a political choice designed to destroy public services in order to open more aspects of health care for privatisation. Privatisation allows a few to become rich but doesn't benefit the vast majority. Stopping the proposed £70 million in cuts must be part of reversing the privatisation health care and renewing the fight to properly fund all of our public services.

"To do this, we need everyone opposed to austerity to speak with a united voice against the planned cuts. We urge you to join with us, trade unions, health workers and campaigners to support the protest planned at the Western Trust public consultation meeting on Tuesday September 26 at 6pm. The larger the numbers and the broader the representation of political parties, trade unions, community organisations, campaigning networks, cultural groups, sports clubs and student groups who mobilise for protests now can give confidence to workers, patients and all of us to speak up now and organise to defend our health service and all our public services.

"Please contact us at StoptheCutsEndAusterity@gmail.com to let us know if you organisation will support the protest on Tuesday September 26 and join organising to end austerity."

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