Professor Steve Thomas:

In some ways, it was a useful test case for how we change entitlements and how the system responds. There is much to be learned from the case study. We need to think carefully about what the capacity of the system will look like. Where people do not necessarily need to go directly to their GP, could care be provided by other healthcare professionals? There has to be capacity in the system to do that, which is why Sláintecare is to invest in it. It is a case in point to ensure the appropriate learning from the policy.