2024 is ending with a set of circumstances I certainly could not have predicted twelve months ago.

While there was hope at the end of 2023 that the Assembly could return, the concept that by the end of 2024 I would once again be leading the Ulster Unionist Party and holding the position of Health Minister was far beyond anything I considered possible or likely.

That’s the thing about entering each new year – no one knows with any surety where the year will take them. Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, is famous for stating that ‘Change is the only constant’, this is true. It is how we manage that change, how we adapt to the circumstances, challenges and opportunities that the world presents to us.

As we look into 2025 the focus must be on change, change for the better.

As Health Minister there is much to do to bring the changes that the health and social care services have been needing for far too long. That change does not solely lie at my feet, or the feet of the Department, or even at the feet of the health service itself. This change requires commitment from each Minister around the Executive table, from each MLA and Councillor, from each person to consider how their decisions can impact positively or negatively on the entirety of our Health and social care systems.

There is much to do to address our health needs, as there is in education, infrastructure and every Executive Department. This requires a commitment from every party that we can never collapse the institutions again, we must work together to build a Northern Ireland that benefits everyone, regardless of ideology, religion or identity.

In the last few months, I have seen what I believe to be a genuine desire amongst the Executive parties to bring forward truly collegiate working across every aspect of our Government, this can set the foundation for the change we all recognise is needed.

While my wish for you is a peaceful, successful and healthy 2025, my greater wish is for our institutions to finally, after almost 27 years of stop-start failure, create the change that builds a Northern Ireland we can all be proud to be a part of.

If we can do that, we will restore hope and I believe with hope will come prosperity.