While reorganisation of our health service is long overdue, the coronavirus pandemic has hastened the process of transformation in a way that could not have been imagined even a few months ago.
There is no doubt that managing change can be extremely challenging, particularly when it involves a massive institution that has a special place in the lives of every citizen.
Change is often feared because it causes uncertainty and raises questions about jobs, working practices, the availability of services and can be seen as ignoring the genuine concerns of those who work in and use health and social care in Northern Ireland.
Any changes have to take a huge number of issues into account but ultimately must be for the right reasons.
No one can pretend that our health service is working well. Our waiting lists are truly shocking, a situation that has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
We know that in the early weeks of the crisis, the health service reconfigured in record time to deal with an unprecedented emergency.
However, it is clear that this virus is a threat that will be with us for some time and our hospitals have to be able to cope with Covid-19 patients as well as those with other conditions.
Yesterday, the health minister announced that Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn is set to become a day procedure centre to allow elective surgeries to continue during a potential second wave of coronavirus cases in the autumn.
Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast and Derry's Altnagelvin Hospital will be designated hub sites for orthopaedic procedures.
Health service unions have expressed dismay at the lack of consultation and communication about these changes.
Robin Swann said these were interim decisions and gave an assurance that any permanent changes to the way services are delivered ''will be subject to full public consultation and engagement."
It is essential he sticks to that pledge as it is vital that staff are involved in conversations about matters that have a direct impact on how they work.
Meanwhile, patients will be hoping that these modifications will deliver improvements in service and help to address our unacceptably long waiting lists.
