Hospital action groups reject FF assurances

Hospital action groups are rejecting reassurances given at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis about the implications of health service reform.

Health Minister Micheál Martin told delegates that towns like Nenagh and Ennis had nothing to fear from the centralisation of acute hospital services in 12 regional centres.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, vowed that 24-hour medical care would still be available in local hospitals.