A joint campaign to save St Luke's Hospital in Rathgar, Dublin, will be launched today by patients of the hospital and the People Before Profit Alliance.
St Luke's is one of the best-known centres delivering cancer services in the State, treating more than 20,000 patients a year.
Almost two years ago, Minister for Health Mary Harney announced the relocation of radiation, oncology and staff services from St Luke's to St James's Hospital, Dublin, by 2011. It is proposed that the new facility will incorporate "St Luke's" in its title.
St Luke's Hospital patient Joe Guilfoyle has been campaigning against the move and his Retention of St Luke's Campaign has been joined by the recently formed People Against Profit Alliance. The campaign will include a protest outside the Dáil and outside the office of local TD and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.
It will also ask people to use the general election to make their feelings known to canvassers.
Mr Guilfoyle said he had collected more than 100,000 signatures since last November opposing the closure. He said the hospital was about much more than drugs and treatment. "The peace and tranquillity you feel there is almost a therapy in itself."
Rory Hearne of the People Against Profit Alliance said St Luke's was the centre for excellence for cancer treatment in this State "and should get more investment rather than being shut".
Asked about Ms Harney's plans for the site, a spokeswoman said: "It is the Minister's objective to ensure that these resources are utilised in the best interest of the health services." The Minister would discuss this issue "in due course" with the HSE and the hospital board.
The Friends of St Luke's Hospital, which fund-raises for the hospital, is not involved in this campaign. A spokeswoman said it was hoped the hospital would not close, "but it's business as usual for us in terms of fundraising and providing care and comfort for patients and their families".
