Waiting lists: Significant differences exist in the amount of time spent waiting for treatment by people in the North and South. Some 76 per cent of people waiting for cardiac surgery in the South have been waiting more than 12 months, compared with 20.5 per cent in the North. For ear, nose and throat treatment it is 47 per cent of people, compared with 11.2 per cent in the North.

Spending: The amount of money spent per capita on health in the North is £969 sterling compared to £820 in the South.

Costs: In the South 36 per cent of the population, due to low income, have medical cards, meaning they do not have to pay for GP visits or for drugs which have been prescribed. In the North these are free to all, except for a flat fee prescription charge of £5.80. A significant majority of the people are exempt from this.

Earnings: Northern hospital consultants have considerably less earning potential than their Southern counterparts. There is little potential in the North for earnings from private practice and the state pay levels range from £43,700 sterling to £56,470 sterling. In the South, where there is considerable potential for earnings from private patients for many consultants, the salaries paid by the State range from £61,876 to £76,756.