In Northern Ireland, the treatment waiting list have been particularly shocking.

Only a few years ago our waiting lists were the highest in Europe.

To be fair we have come a long way since those dark days, and it would seem the tide is turning.

But with around 40,000 patients across Northern Ireland waiting for inpatient treatment - and some 180,000 outpatients, waiting to see a consultant, there is still a long way to go.

And the province's next Health Minister will have his or her work cut out.

Inroads have been made - and the current Minister, Paul Goggins, recently revealed that in-patient waiting lists were at an all-time low.

He also told the Belfast Telegraph that reducing lists even further is an " absolute priority".

Various initiatives have helped drive these figures in the right direction.

These include the rolling out of a new Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Services (ICATS) system.

This is gradually being introduced to drive down the number of patients waiting for a first appointment with a consultant.

In future, people should receive a letter five days after seeing their GP, giving them details of what the next step is, an indication of waiting times and a helpline number for further information.

And for the first time hospital bosses have had to meet tough treatment targets for their patients.

But clearly, there are still too many patients waiting too long for either a first appointment with their consultant or for much-needed surgery.

That work will have to built upon.

Politicians from every persuasion are united in a main NHS goal - waiting lists must be eradicated.

If that is to be achieved there must be no let up in the work of surgeons and consultants.

Mr Goggins revealed doctors are working into the night to clear up the lists.

That must continue.

Mr Goggins said trusts had to deliver or face having their money used by the Department of Health to treat patients elsewhere.

"I am focused," he said. "We will hit the targets. We will deliver on commitments."

A new Health Minister will be fully aware of the task ahead.

But it is not just surgery waiting lists.

The Belfast Telegraph revealed recently that nearly 7,000 patients across Northern Ireland are waiting for desperately needed scans to find out if they have potentially life-threatening conditions such as cancer.

It is understood some patients are waiting up to 12 months for an MRI scan.

This is unacceptable - and sorting this out must be priority of a new Assembly.

Hospital trolley waits are also still a major headache - with dozens of patients waiting in casualty units right across the province on any given day of the week.

Sort out the waiting lists - and Northern Ireland will surely be well on the way to having an NHS to be finally proud of.

Cut red tape to improve NHS

By Iris Robinson

DUP

Professor Appleby's report confirmed that unless our approach changes, spending on health will continue to grow exponentially.

We have argued consistently for reduced bureaucracy and streamlined decision making.

Increased numbers of staff are more important in trying to prevent unacceptable waiting times for treatment and trolley waits than hospital bed numbers.

The focus must be on investing in health promotion, early intervention and prevention of illness.

Mental health, learning disability and providing for the needs of an ageing population remain key priorities for the DUP.

Enhanced intermediate and community care would allow patients to be discharged from hospital earlier, and address the needs of those with chronic conditions.

Patients in rural areas a priority

By John O'Dowd

Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein's vision for health is based on putting people back at the heart of the health service. We want a health service that both addresses the cause of ill-health and treats illness, where the skills and commitment of all staff is fully harnessed.

The complexity of the health service makes it difficult to identify one single reform that could transform it. Many reforms are needed to make the service the one that we deserve.

Sinn Fein would reinvigorate the Investing for Health strategy, developed by former Health Minister Bairbre de Brún in 2002.

There are three priority areas for Sinn Féin:

• The need for a Rural Health Taskforce;

• Halting the privatisation of healthcare;

• The need for service users and staff side involvement in the Strategic Health Authority and health agencies.

Prevention is better than cure

Kieran McCarthy

Alliance Party

Alliance's main priority is to shift the focus of health and social services away from managing illness once it happens, and on to preventing illness in the first place. This means reallocating funding and resources towards training and recruiting personnel.

How can this be done?

Firstly, there are significant savings to be made from provision of health facilities located for cross-community use.

Secondly, regional specialities (such as mental health provision) should be fully centralised, on a cross-border basis where appropriate, with freedom subsequently given to local hospitals to address local circumstances.

Thirdly, greater use should be made of the fact health and social services are placed under the same department.

Care should be free for everyone

By Robert Coulter

UUP

Everyone in Northern Ireland must have confidence that when they or a family member gets sick, the NHS will be there for them, when and where they need it, free at the point of need.

And yet the challenges faced by our National Health Service increase year by year. If we are to secure NHS NI into the future, we need to move beyond viewing health policy as merely treating illness - it is also about promoting healthy lifestyles.

We are the only part of the UK without NHS Direct, a 24-hour service giving access to NHS staff and advice - this service should be extended to Northern Ireland.

Moving as the Welsh Assembly has done to abolish prescription charges will ensure that no-one goes without essential medication.

Improving Northern Ireland's health, and ensuring access to quality care and advice - this is how we reduce waiting lists and secure the NHS for all of us.

Waiting times must be tackled

By Carmel Hanna

SDLP

As a registered nurse and midwife I believe that a good healthcare system must benefit everyone and I am committed to bringing our health service up to a world-class standard.

The SDLP knows that waiting lists are unacceptable.

I recognise that the most serious problem are waiting lists which are a result of poorly managed resources and lack of forward planning.

The SDLP will put patients first and reduce waiting times by:

• Anticipating staff needs;

• Ensuring that there are more appropriately trained and placed front-line staff;

• Efficient and effective use of equipment and theatres;

• Treating patients in a community setting whenever possible;

• Cutting bureaucracy and ensuring that money is directed to front line services.