Now that the election is over, it is important we see efforts redoubled to resolve the industrial dispute that is causing so much disruption in our health service.
In recent weeks we have seen healthcare staff, including nurses, on the picket line or working to rule. In other words, they are doing their jobs as contracted but not carrying out additional tasks such as answering telephones on wards or working unpaid hours.
Thousands of appointments and procedures across Northern Ireland have been cancelled as a result of this action which involves workers in a range of areas, all vital to the smooth running of what is a vast and complex system.
However, next week promises to see the dispute elevated to a different level entirely, with members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) taking strike action for the first time in their 103-year history on Wednesday December 18.
It is not just nurses who will be taking part in walkouts but other staff, including paramedics.
The RCN has advised that a number of services will be exempt from next week's planned 12-hour action, including chemotherapy inpatient and outpatient services, units providing palliative care, psychiatric intensive care units and intensive care units.
We are told that emergency departments will not be exempt but life saving cover will be provided.
The prospect of widespread strike action next Wednesday will be deeply alarming for many people, particularly at a time when flu and other illnesses are on the increase.
Given the impasse, the secretary of state Julian Smith did intervene earlier this month and a renewed offer was made by the Department of Health after additional money was found.
Unfortunately, it did not go far enough for the unions and the dispute continues.
Even so, it is clear that the gap has narrowed and it should be possible to resolve this issue.
There will be widespread support for the nurses' claim for parity with their colleagues doing the same job in Britain while the importance of safe staffing levels is also well recognised.
The clock is ticking on next week's action but hopefully we will see fresh momentum in the talks and a determination to sort this matter sooner rather than later.
