The nurses' union has reiterated its call for the building of a new acute general hospital.

Paul Pace, MUMN president, this morning said focussing on primary healthcare and creating more beds for the elderly was not enough.

"These are important to alleviate the pressure on the hospital but even when this is done we will still need more acute hospital beds."

Mr Pace was speaking to MUMN members at the start of the union's conference. Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia is present.

Mr Pace said the union had suggested funds from the citizenship programme be dedicated to build a new hospital.

He also called for more emphasis to encourage youth to join nursing courses.

Dr Farrugia is now addressing MUMN members.

Taking the podium Dr Farrugia said the government will be waiting for a report by the World Health Organisation on the state of healthcare in Malta.

The report, out in February, will give a snapshot of the system and identify the long term challenges, he said.

"In February we will know how many acute beds we need, and I can tell you they will be many not few," he said, adding the ministry had carried out its own internal exercise.

The WHO report will give the government an objective overview, he said.

Dr Farrugia thanked the nurses for their work and noted that their slogan to put patients and the profession first was also the government's commitment.