ABSTRACT
In many respects Northern Ireland remains one of the most disadvantaged areas of the UK. The claimant unemployment rate is 11 per cent compared to 7 per cent in England, 8 per cent in Wales and 8 per cent in Scotland. The Department of Health and Social Services is responsible for health, personal social services and social security. Arrangements for the provision of health and social services differ significantly from Britain. In Northern Ireland four area health and social services boards are responsible for the administration of both health and personal social services unlike the structure in Britain where responsibility for personal social services rests with local authorities. Levels of satisfaction were also considered in relation to unionist/ nationalist affiliation. A fairly high proportion of respondents described themselves as neither nationalist or unionist. As levels of satisfaction have decreased the proportion of people who see health as a priority for public spending has increased.
