Ahern calls for consultants' co-operation on reform

The Taoiseach is appealing to hospital consultants to work with the Government on the reform of the health service.

A number of GPs and consultants have today joined with 15 hospital action groups to form "The Health Services Action Group".

They're protesting against the Hanly reforms, which include the centralisation of acute care into 12 regional hospitals.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said it will only co-operate with the Government if the issue of insurance for consultants has been resolved.