Coronavirus (COVID-19)

You can get tested for COVID-19

Everyone must help stop coronavirus spreading.
Only go outside for permitted shopping, health reasons, work or exercise. If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times.
Avoid touching your face and wash your hands as soon as you get home.
You can spread the virus even if you don't have symptoms.

A COVID-19 symptom checker is available here

Preventing accidents at home

Hilary Johnston, PHA, and Pauline Herbison, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), discuss a way we can all help reduce pressure on the health service during lockdown.

Act FAST information of signs and symptoms of stroke

Urgent medical care for stroke essential during coronavirus pandemic

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding the public of the importance of seeking urgent medical care if they or someone else experiences any of the symptoms of stroke. Help is available for those who need medical attention throughout the pandemic.

If not treated urgently, a person is at a higher risk of death or disability if they take a stroke than from COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stroke units have seen a slight reduction in the number of patients admitted with stroke.

PHA: no room for complacency with coronavirus

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has warned that complacency around coronavirus could lead to further spread of the disease, and ultimately result in deaths.

Volunteering: Benefits, challenges and opportunities

A reflection on volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic from Denise Hayward, CEO, Volunteer Now, and Maurice Meehan, PHA.

Contact tracing – is the use of technology a help or a hindrance?

Brendan Bonner, PHA, considers COVID-19 contact tracing.

Welcome

The Public Health Agency (PHA) was established in April 2009 as part of the reforms to Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. We are the major regional organisation for health protection and health and social wellbeing improvement. Our role also commits us to addressing the causes and associated inequalities of preventable ill-health and lack of wellbeing. We are a multi-disciplinary, multi-professional body with a strong regional and local presence.

Directorates

In fulfilling our mandate to protect public health, improve public health and social wellbeing, and reduce inequalities in health and social wellbeing, the PHA works within an operational framework of three areas: Public Health, Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, and Operations. Our corporate and business plans reflect these arrangements and our purpose as an organisation.

Latest

Swabbing protocol for care homes and supported living centres
Wednesday, 03 June 2020 - Publication
This factsheet outlines the arrangements for COVID-19 testing in nursing and residential care homes and supported living centres. It provides guidance on how to carry out a swab test, and how to package the test safely to return to the virology
Preventing accidents at home
Wednesday, 03 June 2020 - Media
Hilary Johnston, PHA, and Pauline Herbison, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), discuss a way we can all help reduce pressure on the health service during lockdown. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here. The
Urgent medical care for stroke essential during coronavirus pandemic
Wednesday, 03 June 2020 - News
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding the public of the importance of seeking urgent medical care if they or someone else experiences any of the symptoms of stroke. Help is available for those who need medical attention throughout the pandemic
PHA: no room for complacency with coronavirus
Wednesday, 03 June 2020 - News
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has warned that complacency around coronavirus could lead to further spread of the disease, and ultimately result in deaths. Dr Gerry Waldron, Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Thanks to people following