Socialist Voice January 2003
HEALTH MINISTER Des Browne has announced his intention to press ahead
with the proposals contained in the Hayes Report on the future of Northern
Ireland's hospital service.
Hayes proposed the closure of the Mid-Ulster in Magherafelt, the Tyrone County
in Omagh, the Downe in Downpatrick, the Lagan Valley in Lisburn and Whiteabbey
Hospital as acute units. Over the next few years, between 500 and 1,200 acute
beds will go. The ludicrously expensive Private Finance Initiative will be
widely implemented.
It would be an absolutely scandalous move if Browne were to implement Hayes, but
it is quite clear that the Executive and the Assembly would ultimately have
moved in the same direction. The only way to defeat Hayes is through the
mobilisation of mass campaigns involving hospital workers, the unions and
genuine community groups.
The Socialist Party is publishing a comprehensive reply to
the Hayes Report, giving a socialist alternative. This will shortly be
available this website. Watch this space
June 18th 2003:
The document is
now available here.
To read more articles about the NHS go to
the sitemap.