Ms Angela Fitzgerald:

I think it is the single biggest issue, because we have waiting lists and delays. A number of patients, particularly at outpatient level, are waiting longer than 12 months. It is an area we need to consider. From our point of view, we are likely to see patients seeking access elsewhere, but equally, eastern European countries will have access to our services. The question of delay is a significant one. We have a programme of access reform to address delay for our own patients. The challenge is that we could attract patients from other countries. The only issue is that there is a level of reciprocity. Every country is being faced with the same challenge. Because the expectation has been raised, there are other burdens on the patient in terms of travel costs. That will possibly be one of the limiting factors. It is the single biggest issue member states are now having to consider and there is no easy answer to it. Perversely, if a country improves access, it leaves itself slightly more open to inward migration. That is a challenge we will have to walk through carefully.