Martin insists health services in better shape than ever

The Minister for Health, Mr Micheál Martin, has defended the nation's health services by saying they were in better shape than ever before.

Speaking at the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) annual conference in Galway today, Mr Martin dismissed what he described as "adverse comment" about the service in recent days.

Despite being heckled by a few delegates, the Minister said there has been unprecedented levels of investment in the health service since 1997.

He also appealed to the public health doctors not to escalate their industrial dispute to involve other health care workers.

In relation to recent reports of bed closures at Dublin's five main teaching hospitals, he said no final decisions have been taken and that discussions were ongoing.

Mr Martin said: "It is important to remind ourselves, that every day, thousands of people have satisfactory experiences of the health service, and successful outcomes.

"While there has been a substantial amount of adverse comment about the health service, no one can deny that the system is providing more and better services than ever before," he added.

The Minister warned delegates: "Any action initiated, be it industrial action or otherwise, would be premature".

Yesterday delegates unanimously passed a motion that called for a nationwide protest against health cuts. The INO, which has 28,000 members, said it will seek the support of other unions and patient advocacy groups in its campaign against the cuts.

The campaign may initially take the form of street demonstrations, but INO general secretary Mr Liam Doran said the prospect of industrial action could not be ruled out.

The move comes in the wake of a series of bed closures and cuts in services at hospitals across the State.

Members of the INO accused the Government of conning the public during the general election into believing they would be provided with a world-class health service.