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Drinking on St Patrick’s Day? Make a plan and stick to it

As people get ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging anyone choosing to drink to keep an eye on their alcohol intake by making a plan of setting a limit and sticking to it.

Drugs and alcohol support services

Drugs and alcohol support services are available in your area.

If you or someone you know might have a problem with drug and/or alcohol misuse, please visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info where you can find information about services and help in your local area.

Support is also available for families affected by a family member’s substance misuse, irrespective of whether the family member is receiving treatment or not.

Important advice for pregnant women during lambing season

With spring just around the corner the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding pregnant women about the risk of close contact with sheep during lambing season.

The PHA is advising women who are, or think they may be, pregnant to reduce their risk of miscarriage and infection by avoiding close contact with sheep during lambing season, which runs from February until around the end of April.

Salt Awareness Week – the dangers of eating too much salt

During Salt Awareness Week (4-10 March) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the dangers of eating too much salt and advising that moderation is key.

Caroline Bloomfield, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Manager at the PHA, said: “A very small amount of salt is an essential part of our diet; however, often without realising it, most of us are eating too much and this can have health impacts.

“Too much salt in our diet can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease, some of the leading causes of disability and death in Northern Ireland. It can also contribute to high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Hypertension often has no symptoms, but if you have the condition, you are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.”

Support available for people who self-harm and those close to them

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using Self-Harm Awareness Day [1 March] to encourage people who are affected by self-harm, including families and carers, to seek support.

Dr Denise O’Hagan, Public Health Consultant with the PHA, said: “People self-harm for various reasons and are usually experiencing severe emotional distress. Self-harm is when a person harms themselves through injury or poisoning and it can take many different forms. It may be something which is kept hidden from others. For some people, self-harm is a way of coping with and communicating their distress, but for others it can be associated with a wish to end their lives and therefore it should always be taken seriously.

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

Drinking on St Patrick’s Day? Make a plan and stick to it
Friday, 15 March 2019 - News
As people get ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging anyone choosing to drink to keep an eye on their alcohol intake by making a plan of setting a limit and sticking to it.
Smoking and sight loss (leaflet and poster)
Thursday, 14 March 2019 - Publication
These resources outline the link between smoking and sight loss, highlighting how smoking significantly increases the risk of conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration and retinopathy.
AAA Screening Newsletter
Thursday, 14 March 2019 - Publication
Since implementation in 2012, the NI AAA Screening Programme has produced a newsletter (generally bi-annually).
Influenza Weekly Surveillance Bulletin, Northern Ireland, 2018/19
Thursday, 14 March 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.