Opinion

Health service cannot go back to the way it was before Covid

There is no doubt the pandemic has forced major changes in the delivery of health care in Northern Ireland, which responded with both speed and flexibility in a bid to cope with the anticipated surge in Covid-19 cases.

It was quite remarkable to see how quickly the health service moved to adapt, with hospitals reconfigured, Covid centres established and a visit to the GP completely transformed.

There were many positives but it also has to be recognised that there were plenty of negatives, with procedures cancelled, appointments delayed and fearful patients reluctant to seek help for potentially serious conditions.

Now that the number of coronavirus cases is falling and life is beginning to return to some semblance of normality, it is time to restore services and ensure that all patients are able to access the healthcare they need.

However, the health minister is right to say that things must not go back to the way they were.

As we know, the health service in the north was in dire shape before this crisis, with waiting lists that were nothing short of scandalous.

Urgent reform was needed to make better use of the resources we have, to deliver a more efficient and effective service.

The coronavirus emergency has pushed us to make radical decisions that in normal times would have taken years to consider and it is little wonder that the authorities are keen to retain some of the changes that have been introduced.

Some of these will be necessary as we continue to cope with the threat from this virus, so telephone triage, video consultations and drive through clinics may become the norm.

It is also important that priority is given to cancer services as there is a concern that people with life threatening conditions have slipped through the net during the past few months, which is unacceptable.

The public has shown remarkable fortitude, understanding and adaptability throughout this emergency. They have been prepared to comply with the many restrictions that have been put in place to keep us safe.

Health and social care staff at all levels have been magnificent, their bravery and sacrifice a shining example to us all.

As we move into the next phase of this crisis there will be an expectation that any changes will be properly discussed, explained and communicated with full account taken of the views of the public and health professionals.