A union representing nurses and midwives is asking for political parties to put their differences aside in an effort to fix the health service.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is calling on politicians to take a long-term view of the healthcare system over the next 10 years.

The INMO has said healthcare is too precious to be used as a political football for political parties to fight over.

General Secretary of the INMO Liam Doran has said a long-term strategy and commitment is the only way for problems in the health service to be solved.

“What we need is the honesty, the integrity, the statesman like approach which will deliver a world class, single-tiered, properly funded public health service,” Doran.

“That should be the target of a new minister and every other political consideration and one-upmanship about debates in health should be set aside until we realise that collective goal.”

“No quick fix, but let’s make it better in two, three, five and ten years time than it is today.”