SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said the visit by Professor Bengoa brings into focus the failure to deliver the health transformation he championed.

Professor Bengoa produced a 2016 report which outlined the need for transformation within the North’s health service.

Mr McGrath said the health service is in the state it is because his recommendations were not heeded.

South Down MLA Mr McGrath said:

“Whilst it is always a pleasure to welcome Professor Bengoa to the North his attendance here today highlights the total failure to implement the transformation he outlined and that should be an embarrassment for the Executive.

“Professor Bengoa came to Northern Ireland on a number of occasions over the last decade, which culminated in his 2016 report with a clear roadmap on how our essential health services should be delivered. Despite an acknowledgement that his proposals were the best way forward, much of what Professor Bengoa recommended has been ignored since, and there has been little implementation of any of his proposals. This is a total failure from those charged with running and transforming our health service.

“I do not see today’s attendance of Professor Bengoa as anything to champion, cherish, or cheerlead. Instead, I think it should be a sober reflection that we have let him, and our health service down. The failure to heed his warnings has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people on excessively long waiting lists, people spending excessively long times in emergency departments and a crumbling health service. Today does not mean a fresh start when it comes to transformation, but a last chance to implement the reform Professor Benoga championed in the first place.”