Martin to answer health staffing questions

The Minister for Health is to hold a press conference today to address the crisis in medical staffing.

The briefing will take place prior to the first meeting of the National Task Force on Staff Shortages in the Health Service.

Understaffing is one of the main reasons behind the country's growing waiting lists and is one of the biggest problems facing Minister Micheal Martin.

The Irish Nurses Organisation began a ballot yesterday on industrial action over conditions in Accident and Emergency wards.