Well over 100 people gathered in Ennis in Co Clare to protest at what they say is chronic overcrowding at the region's main hospital.
The Midwest Hospitals Campaign say the numbers being treated on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick regularly exceed 100 people on a daily basis.
The group is calling for the urgent reopening of emergency departments in hospitals in Ennis, Nenagh and St John's Hospital in Limerick.
The Square in Ennis brought cross community support from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, all seeking an urgent reform of health services in the Midwest to take the pressure off UHL at Dooradoyle in Limerick.
Crowds gathered in Ennis in Co Clare this afternoon to protest at what they say is chronic overcrowding at the region's main hospital | https://t.co/HmZb7faAlG pic.twitter.com/w5lbWe4GWh
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 21, 2022
Many of the protesters had stories to tell, stories of heartbreak that propelled them to take action.
Marie McMahon helped set up the Midwest Hospitals Campaign after her husband passed away at UHL four years ago. He was found dead after being on a trolley for almost 40 hours.
"I had to do something so that other people don't go though this horrendous experience. We keep being reassured by the Government that action is underway to reduce the chronic overcrowding but nothing happens. Enough is enough," she said.
Noeleen Moran is one of the organisers of the Midwest Hospitals Campaign.
She says the numbers impacted by overcrowding are getting progressively worse with 126 people treated on trolleys on a single day last April.
"This is unprecendented, we are totally reliant on UHL. We were promised a centre of excellence. Instead we get overcrowding and crisis 24/7.
"At least in Dublin other hospitals can take the overflow in situations of urgency. We don't have that option. That is why we are calling for the reopening of our emergency departments as a matter of urgency.
"We also want the hospital upgraded to model 3 status," she said.
Conor Reidy from Nenagh said his father spent four days on a trolley at UHL.
"He is 89 years old and a stroke patient. For a man of his age and frailty he was treated with total disrespect and a lack of dignity," he said.
"UHL is underfunded, understaffed and overwhelmed. We need full restoration of services in the Midwest," Mr Reidy added.
The group have the backing of some local councillors with a motion to be raised on the issue at the Regional Health Forum next week.
The UL Hospital Group say an elective hospital is now urgently needed in the Mid-West and Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly recently confirmed that a specialist group is being set up to look at the overcrowding situation at UHL.
In the meantime these protesters say they will continue to take to the streets.
This day of action in Ennis follows a similar protest in Limerick last weekend and another one is planned for Nenagh at a later date.
