Mr. Paul Reid:

I just want to make a few comments for the record. The Deputy suggested I have made a case for a strong centre and pushback. That might sound reasonable but it is not factually correct. I have been on record very publicly in saying throughout Covid that we have had significant learnings from Covid about where the centre added value and where it did not add value. I have said we should have a model that I describe as tight and loose, that is, where some issues are at the centre but there is a loose system to let people go and activate, make decisions and innovate. That model is recommended in the model presented to the Government.

The role of the centre, in my view, should be to give value for money, to add value not destroy value and, equally, to promote patient safety and clinical guidelines throughout the six regions. That is what the role of the centre should be and that is based on good practice-----