Maurice Hayes (Independent)

Although I have less involvement with local services than my colleagues in the House, I thought it might be helpful to offer some observations from the point of view of somebody from outside the health service who has worked in the health field. In recent years, I chaired a committee which carried out a review of the acute hospital services in Northern Ireland. Having done our sums, we arrived at conclusions which are not a million miles away from those of the Hanly report. If the Minister wishes a copy of the report in question – it is mentioned in the bibliography of the Hanly report – I would gladly provide it and discuss it with him at any time. I hope the Hanly report will be considered as an opportunity rather than a disaster.