A decade after his blueprint for transforming Northern Ireland’s health system was announced, the public may be surprised by the verdict of Professor Rafael Bengoa.

On the face of it, it seems like many services have got worse.

A&E departments overwhelmed. Patients waiting years to see a consultant. Fewer GP practices serving an ageing population and hospitals relying on agency staff to fill vacancies.

Just weeks after Prof Bengoa’s ambitious programme of reform was endorsed by the entire Executive in 2016, Stormont collapsed when Sinn Féin walked out in the aftermath of the RHI scandal.

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When it was eventually restored........

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