Northern Ireland’s health service faced “difficult problems” in 2005, with a senior civil servant warning that pressures “will become even more acute in the years to come”.

However, the author of a health study also heard that there was “a strong political and public attachment to the NHS model” in the region and that it had provided an “impartial community resource” throughout the Troubles.

Professor John Appleby launched an independent review of health and social care services in Northern Ireland in 2005.

There is strong political and public attachment to the NHS model in NI

Declassified documents from the Public Record Office in Belfast show that Clive Gowdy, then permanent secretary at the Department of Health, prepared a paper for the academic in which he said the HPSS (Personal Health and Social Care) was “struggling under the combined effect of growing public demands and expectations, rising standards of clinical and social care governance and spiraling costs”.

He said: “There is strong political and public attachment to the NHS model in NI.

“HPSS is virtually the only provider of health and social services here.

“The private sector is small – with, for example, only two small private hospitals – and relatively few people can afford private health insurance.

“Figures for the use of private health insurance show that in 2002, 19% of the English population was covered by such insurance, compared to 10% of households in NI.”

He added: “The value of HPSS is also demonstrated by the fact that throughout 30 years of civil unrest, HPSS has been viewed as an impartial community resource, providing essential services fairly and equitably across community and political divides.

“The HPSS has dealt with, and continues to deal with, both injuries and illnesses directly associated with the conflict, as well as illnesses resulting from the economic stagnation, long-term unemployment and poverty to which the unrest contributed. »

It is clear that these pressures will increase further in the years to come.

Mr Gowdy said services were “facing the challenges of coping with ever-increasing pressures on our health and social care services”.

He added: “It is clear that these pressures will become even more acute in the years to come.

“This will pose real resource challenges and this issue, which concerns health systems around the world, cannot be ignored in Northern Ireland.

“We need open and honest political reflection on how these demands should be met. »

The Permanent Secretary concluded: “The reality is still that although the HPSS provides essential services to the community at all levels, it is unable to guarantee the quality of service it can offer to the public.

“It has not been possible to meet all public demands and the worst manifestations of this deficit have been the long waiting lists for inpatient and outpatient services, queues in emergency departments, the failure to provide new drug therapies to all patients who need or could benefit from them, and the deficit in community social services for vulnerable people and children. »

A file held at the Public Record Office in Belfast includes the minutes of a meeting which took place at Stormont House.

A meeting at Stormont discussed the use of anti-terrorism laws to combat displays of paramilitary flags and murals in 2004, according to declassified files.

The papers reveal that a senior PSNI official said “comprehensive case law” could be developed within the courts to establish a “clear line between what is acceptable and what is not”.

A file held at the Public Record Office in Belfast includes the minutes of a meeting which took place at Stormont House on March 2, 2004, attended by PSNI representatives, civil servants and representatives from the Community Relations Unit (CRU) and the Community Relations Council (CRC).

The minutes indicate that a previous meeting concluded that a “community approach to the flag issue was preferable to a police-only response.”

Senior officer Gary White told the meeting he had had a discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the use of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The minute read: “Again, the question of what is and is not acceptable behavior has become an issue, but GW (Gary White) believes that the DPP is in favor of using this provision generally and this is easiest where a flag or mural illustrates an explicit level of support for a paramilitary organization.

“Obviously there will be areas where there will be doubts about what a flag is.

“GW suggested that this issue should be left to the courts and that comprehensive case law could be developed to establish a clear line between what is acceptable and what is not.

“He also reminded the group that there is great sympathy for the idea that what was acceptable during the worst phases of the Troubles may not be acceptable now.”

The minutes indicate that the meeting recalls a test case relating to the display of paramilitary flags in Hollywood, which resulted in the conviction of four people under section 13 of the Terrorism Act.

It was subsequently learned that the CRU had commissioned research from the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen’s University into the issue of flags and emblems.

The CRU’s Billy Gamble said “his preference was for the community to resolve these issues on their own”, but he felt there “had to be a threat of final sanction”.

The minutes state: “The group was clearly impressed by the approaches of the CRU/CRC and expects the outcome of the policy document in June.

“It is clear, however, that there will be times when the community simply cannot stop the paramilitaries from engaging in this activity.

“In such circumstances, the PSNI is content to have the necessary powers under the Terrorism Act to deal with the situation. In short, there is no universal policy that can solve the flag problem.”

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Anthony Joshua was involved in a car crash in Nigeria on Monday, leaving two people tragically killed in the incident and the former heavyweight champion was rushed to hospital.

Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport, has paid tribute to two men who tragically died in a car crash involving British heavyweight Anthony Joshua in Nigeria on Monday.

The victims were identified as Kevin Ayodele and Sina Ghami, while Joshua was taken to hospital with minor injuries following the collision.

The incident occurred on Monday morning on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, just outside Lagos, when a black Lexus Jeep collided with a stationary red Sinotruck commercial vehicle.

The accident claimed the lives of Ayodele, also known as Latz, and Ghami, both close friends and members of Joshua’s team. Two other men in the vehicle were said to have escaped unhurt.

Hearn, chairman of Joshua’s promotional company Matchroom, was among those who paid tribute to both men when news of their tragic deaths was confirmed.

“With the heaviest of hearts,” he shared in an Instagram post. “Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with everyone.”

Boxer Chris Eubank Jr also shared a heartfelt message, saying: “Thank God our heavyweight champion survived this horrific car accident. And pray for the two fallen soldiers, Latz and Sina, and their families.

“I knew they both…were truly good men. Rest in peace boys.”

Slim Albaher of Misfits Boxing also paid tribute, adding: “Sending prayers for Anthony Joshua and the two brothers who died tragically in the car crash. I can’t believe Latz was one of the guys involved… he was such a good soul and supportive brother. Allah Yerhamu, may Allah grant Latz and Sina Jannah.”

Another fighter, Mutah Beale, also said: “From Allah we return sad and shocking news regarding the death of our dear brother Abdul-Latif following a car accident. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him Jannah, and may Allah ease this difficult time for his family. We also wish the champion a speedy recovery. »

OnestoplistDubai shared a touching message: “May Allah forgive your faults and grant you the highest level of paradise. Ameen. Nothing but good memories when we were together.

“My condolences go out to your family and loved ones Sina @258mgt @anthonyjoshua. A gentle reminder to all brothers and sisters. From him we came and to him we will return. Now at peace, Sina.”

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