Mr. Tony O'Brien:

The reason we have focused so heavily on patient safety in the opening section of the report is not because I have specific fears, as the committee would be concerned, but because at a time when the public discourse about the health service is always about the money, it is important that those leading it send a clear signal that the health service must be about patients and patient safety. That is the primary reason it is there. In addition, there has been in this part of the world - by which I include these islands - a significant period in terms of learning from adverse incidents, both in this jurisdiction and in the neighbouring jurisdiction, and we thought it was absolutely appropriate to put that front and centre in the opening paragraphs of the chapter. We absolutely accept, in response to Senator Crown, that merely saying it does not do it but over time the debate about the health service, internally and externally, has been overly focused on money, deficits, etc. That is heard by managers and staff up and down the country and they need to hear from ourselves, reflecting the message of the Minister, that the most important matter is the quality and safety of our services in all respects, including those who are struggling to access them at present. If I may, I will ask Mr. Crowley to add to what I have said.