The Public Health Agency (PHA) has issued advice for people to look after themselves and others this winter. Dr Paul McGurnaghan, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “As temperatures start to drop, this is a good opportunity to plan ahead to try to reduce its impact. “For some people the onset of the cold weather can bring particular hazards. Vulnerable and older people can find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated, putting them at risk. “However, there are steps we can take to reduce the impact of cold weather on ourselves, and particularly

The Ballywalter Seniors Club’s Knit and Natter group, along with Millisle Health and Wellbeing group, has completed an extraordinary project, knitting 200 breast models to support midwifery education at Queen’s University Belfast. The handcrafted teaching aids will be used by student midwives to learn essential skills such as positioning and attachment for breastfeeding, helping future healthcare professionals provide better support to new mothers on their breastfeeding journey. The group meets every other week at Ballywalter Village Hall, offering a welcoming space for people to share skills

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the need for kids to get vaccinated against flu, with the agency’s latest surveillance data showing that influenza activity continues to increase, with the highest positivity rate in children aged 5 – 14 years. In Northern Ireland, all pre-school children, and primary school aged children from primary one to year 12, are eligible for the free flu vaccine, which is given as a simple nasal spray. Dr Amanda McCullough, Specialty Registrar in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Flu is not just a bad cold, and last year 862 children and young people had a

Next week is World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting a powerful account of one individual’s fight against AMR to encourage everyone to join the collective effort to help reduce the threat posed by the misuse of antibiotics. When people are prescribed an antibiotic, they expect to take the drug and get better, but due to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) that is not always the case, and one Portstewart woman’s experience of AMR highlights the importance of protecting our medicines. Amy Symington is a past pupil of Coleraine Grammar