DOWNE & DOWN GAA

As an organisation we in the GAA owe a debt of gratitude to the Downe hospital for its contribution both to health and employment in this area. GAA players and officials down the years have accessed the Downe hospital frequently, and the importance of being able to access hospital services locally can not be underestimated. The GAA is still mainly a rural organisation, and the recent pattern of loss or downgrading of a wide variety of services in rural areas has implications not only for health, but for employment, and sustaining the rural population.

In the Downe hospital catchment area, there are more than 30 schools, and over 25 clubs organising football, hurling, camogie and handball, providing sporting and cultural activities for in excess of 5,000 males and females. Our county teams also tend to train and play within the Downe catchment area. With all this activity in contact sports local GAA members have had to visit the Downe Accident & Emergency departments and Fracture Clinics all too often. In addition the recent publicity surrounding cardiac events and collapse at sports events highlights the need for locally accessible acute medical care.

Like all local sporting organisations Down GAA is indebted to the Downe Hospital and its staff for the care they provide for our members. As an organisation which historically has always been prominent in rural communities, we feel we have a responsibility to resist any dilution of services to rural areas and insist on optimal health care for our members.