by Gareth Cross
gareth@derrynews.net
Protestors made their voices heard before an 'extraordinary' meeting of the Western Trust Board in Derry last week.
They expressed their anger at over £3m cuts approved by the trust at the protest outside the Foyle Arena on Friday afternoon.
The protest was organised by the 'Stop the Cuts' campaign and was attended by representatives from Sinn Fein, SDLP, People Before Profit and local Independent councillors.
A number of trade union and protest groups were also represented including UNISON, NIPSA and the Derry Trade Union Council.
Groups also travelled from the Fermanagh area to make their feelings known to the board.
Shaun Harkin from People Before Profit and 'Stop the Cuts' led the protest and said that the £40m in additional funding from the Department of Finance to mitigate the cuts was 'not enough'.
"We can't believe anything from the Department of Finance and Department of Health," he said.
"We have to keep on protesting and tell them exactly what we think of their consultation, it was a sham and an utter waste of time.
"They put the elderly through trauma because bureaucrats at Stormont have to do their jobs.
Mr Harkin led the protest in chants of 'no ifs, no buts, no healthcare cuts'.
Derry healthcare worker Fiona Gallagher said the consultation had attempted to pit both sides of the community against each other.
"This shouldn't be about division it should be about uniting," she said.
"I will look after anyone from any community who needs it.
"We don't deserve these cuts, people have enough to worry about with the introduction of universal credit.
"The health service is on it's knees, we need to stick together and just say no."
Independent councillor Darren O'Reilly said he was delighted to see so many people from across the North attend the protest.
"Why are we here," he asked.
"We should be outside the hospital. The trust have a lot to answer for taking us away from the staff and patients we are here to support.
"We had to oppose these cuts and have sent a clear message today that we will."
Eamonn O'Donnell of Enagh Youth Forum said it was great to see people coming together.
"We have to remember we are the many and they are the few," he said.
"We have refused to accept this sham, they say cutbacks, we say fight back."
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said that everyone had come together to 'say no' to health and welfare cuts.
"I don't know what was expected in these circumstances," he said, “There are still over £3m of cuts and we can't afford to take any.”
"I hear about the effects of these cuts every day from my constituents, on the streets and in my own family home.
"No cuts can or will be tolerated and I'm happy to be here on the SDLP's behalf.
Sinn Fein MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Jemma Dolan said her party were opposed to any cuts.
"They will impact the most vulnerable and they must be protected. The consultation was a farce and brought worry and concern.
"£40m has been provided but £30m (in cuts) are still there."
Nikki Yau from the Foyle Race Equality Forum said the cuts would have an adverse effect on the BME (black and minority ethnic) community.
"I'm here to oppose these cuts from a BME perspective," she said.
"There are a huge number of BME staff, including Filipino nurses and service users who will be affected.
"The affects will be critical and we cannot allow this to happen."
Local Independent councillor Warren Robinson said he had seen first-hand the affect cuts were having.
"The cuts have targeted the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society," he said.
"They were designed to pit community against community in a fight for resources.
"We see it as a done deal, the decisions have already been made.
"Cuts and closures must be stopped."
Cllr Robinson said he had been contacted by someone who had been adversely affected.
"I was contacted by someone who had become unwell with all the symptoms of a stroke, their left side was completely numb," he said.
"They phoned 999 for an ambulance and waited but it never arrived.
"They called back and the dispatcher apologised and said there was no ambulance available and could they take a taxi to Altnagelvin."
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.
