No crisis in health service, says Martin

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin accused opposition parties of hitting new lows in political opportunism in its attacks on the health services.

The minister insisted the health service is not in crisis. The word crisis has been used in relation to the health service for the past four to five years and it simply was not true.

Responding to the announcement that 250 beds will be closed by Dublin’s five main teaching hospitals, the minister said the budget allocation to the hospitals was nine per cent higher this year.