Campaigners opposed to the closure of a top Dublin cancer hospital will today take their protest onto the streets.
Patients, staff and supporters of St Luke's Hospital in Rathgar want the Government to reverse its decision to move services to St James' Hospital.
They will march from the Post Office on Upper Rathmines Road to the Central Bank on Dame Street as part of their ongoing campaign of protests.
Rory Hearne, chairman of the Save St Lukes Campaign, claims health bosses have already started scaling back services at the 179-bed Rathgar cancer hospital.
"While Health Minister Mary Harney has given the closure date of 2011 we are worried that they are starting to downgrade the hospital already," he said.
"With all the scandals in the health services it is illogical that they are closing St Luke's which is an existing national centre of excellence."
Campaigners say the public hospital will be replaced with a public private partnership at St James' Hospital which will threaten equality of access and quality of service.
"An upgraded and expanded St Luke's would help deal with the currently unacceptable cancer waiting lists," added Mr Hearne.
Marie Harford, a patient of St Luke's, said others will suffer because the cancer services will only be available in a day treatment centre at St James' Hospital.
"It is disgraceful that St Luke's is being closed," she said.
"It is currently the national radiotherapy centre and as a patient I just cannot see how its fantastic therapeutic surroundings that are vital for cancer patients and the patient accommodation will be provided in St James'."