Review of A&E bed capacity started

Health Minister Micheal Martin has told the Irish Nurses Organisation's annual conference in Killarney that he has initiated a national review of bed capacity in the country's hospitals.

Minister Martin said the review will be carried out by the Dept of Health and the Dept of Finance in consultation with the social partners.

He said its findings would inform any future policy decisions on accident and emergency services.

The INO is seeking improvements to A&E services nationwide, which are frequently overcrowded and under-staffed.