The decision to run Robin Swann in South Antrim caused some controversy when it was announced.
But it has turned out to be a political masterstroke for the Ulster Unionist Party.
Some people were angry that the former Stormont health minister was standing down to run for Westminster just months after power sharing had been re-established at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Northern Ireland's health service is in a perilous state. It has the longest waiting times in the UK and is badly in need of reform.
Robin Swann was well across the brief and having guided Northern Ireland through the Covid-19 crisis many would have liked him to remain in the role.
But the lure of a first Westminster seat since 2017 for the once dominant force in unionism proved too much for party leader Doug Beattie.
He replaced Mr Swann as health minister with party colleague Mike Nesbitt
Mr Swann was plucked from his traditional North Antrim constituency and parachuted into the neighbouring seat of South Antrim, where it was adjudged he had a credible chance.
It had been held by the DUP, but the incumbent, Paul Girvan was defending a thin majority in what has traditionally been a flip-flop constituency and which has gone to the Ulster Unionists before.
The fact that Paul Girvan was facing a challenge on his right flank from the hardline TUV only increased the pressure on him.
Stil, no-one expected the scale of Robin Swann’s success, not only overturning the DUP majority, but beating his DUP rival almost two to one.
Health is a devolved responsibility, but investment as well as reform will be needed to deliver the changes that will benefit NHS patients in Northern Ireland.
No-one knows better than Robin Swann how much more money is needed.
He’ll be a well-informed advocate for extra Treasury cash for Northern Ireland's creaking public health system.
