Martin rejects bed closure claims

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin has rejected claims by the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) that he deliberately massaged bed closure figures.

Speaking at the union’s annual conference in Galway yesterday, Mr Martin said that as of Thursday, 81 hospital beds had been closed by Dublin’s five leading hospitals.

However, INO delegates rubbished his claims, saying that 141 beds were closed on Thursday, including 80 at the Mater, 25 in Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin, 20 in James Connelly Memorial Hospital and 16 in Beaumont.