The switchboard number for the PHA’s Headquarters at Linenhall Street, Belfast, is changing on Monday 28 April, 2014. The new number is 0300 555 0114 and should be used from Monday 28 April 2014.

The old switchboard number (028 9032 1313) will cease to be operational from 28 April, 2014, and callers to that number will hear a pre-recorded message giving the new number.

Health systems and individuals across the island of Ireland will benefit from the appointment of a new leader for Cochrane Ireland – a venture which will actively promote the use of the best available research evidence to inform decision-making about health.

This new initiative to coordinate the activities of the Cochrane community in Ireland will build on the excellent work achieved already by Cochrane* locally. The initiative is being funded by the Health Research Board and HSC Research and Development Division, Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland and is supported by the UK Cochrane Centre.

10,000 Voices, a Public Health Agency (PHA) initiative which gives the people of Northern Ireland an opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences of accessing Health and Social Care services, has passed a key milestone with over 3,000 patients, clients and families telling their story.

Next week the Easter holidays start and many families will be thinking of heading off camping, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people of the danger of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from leaving lit or smouldering barbecues inside tents or caravans.

World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year and this year the topic is ‘small bite, big threat’. In Northern Ireland the small bite, big threat is tick-borne Lyme disease, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding the public that you can protect against Lyme disease by taking some simple preventive measures.