In the meantime, the Ministry of Health was forced to implement contingency plans yesterday at several hospitals, after reports of high levels of absenteeism.

Three hospitals in the Corporate Area were affected, as well as the Princess Margaret Hospital in St Thomas. The hastily put together meeting took place on the back of the Opposition People's National Party's call for Government to act more swiftly.

"The meeting with the Minister of Labour and Social Security and the nurses is too late and would not be in the national interest or that of the nurses," said Dr Fenton Ferguson, Opposition spokesperson on health, in reference to a meeting initially planned for later this week.

The Ministry of Health has also scheduled a press conference for 1 p.m. today at its head office on King Street.