Welcome

PHA supporting International Clinical Trials Day 2019

To mark International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD) 2019, which takes place today, 20 May, the NIHR is launching its new Be Part of Research campaign.

Dying matters – Let’s talk about it!

During Dying Matters Awareness Week (13–19 May 2019) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly with those closest to them about their wishes about their future care, dying, death and bereavement.

This year’s theme is ‘Are We Ready?’ Corrina Grimes, Palliative Care Lead at the PHA, is encouraging the public to talk to each other about dying, death and bereavement, because talking about dying won't make it happen!

£25 million funding awarded to leading disease prevention projects

In its first ever funding round, the UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP), an alliance of research funders of which the PHA is one, is investing £25 million into understanding and influencing the social, economic and environmental factors that affect our health.

The funding has been earmarked for eight projects tackling the bigger picture factors behind the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) - illnesses that can’t be passed from person to person - such as heart disease, obesity, poor mental health, cancer and diabetes.

Be UV aware this Sun Awareness Week

This Sun Awareness Week the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging people to adopt sun safe behaviours and to be UV (ultra violet) radiation aware.

The Solar UV Index shows how much solar radiation is reaching us from the sun and how careful we need to be. UV levels vary with the seasons and time of day, but when the UV index is three or above we need to protect our skin and eyes, so it’s important to know what the UV index is going to be throughout the day.

Save lives: clean your hands

Each year, millions of infections are prevented through ensuring good hand hygiene. So today, ahead of the World Health Organization’s Global Hand Hygiene Day (5 May), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the need to ‘clean your hands’ thoroughly and regularly.

The theme for Hand Hygiene Day is ‘Clean care for all – it’s in your hands’.

The switchboard number for the PHA’s Headquarters at Linenhall Street, Belfast has changed to 0300 555 0114. Click here for more information.

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

Influenza Weekly Surveillance Bulletin, Northern Ireland, 2018/19
Thursday, 23 May 2019 - Publication
The Influenza Weekly Surveillance Bulletin is produced by the PHA and covers statistics for Northern Ireland. The bulletin is produced during the flu season.
Skin cancer: what you need to know
Wednesday, 22 May 2019 - Publication
This leaflet explains how to recognise changes to your skin which may indicate the development of skin cancer. It also outlines how to protect your skin in the sun to minimise the risk of damage.
Be UV aware
Wednesday, 22 May 2019 - Publication
This poster encourages people to check the UV index to find out how strong the sun is each day, and to protect their skin from the sun if the index is higher than 3.
Mixing: reduce your risk of harm
Wednesday, 22 May 2019 - Publication
This leaflet provides information on the risks of taking two or more drugs at the same time. This can include alcohol, over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs, and illegal or illicit drugs.