World Antibiotics Awareness Week – deaths could increase if we don’t take action now

Ahead of World Antibiotics Awareness Week (12-18 November) people are being warned that, if we continue to overuse antibiotics, we could see many more deaths from simple infections that were previously treatable. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is asking everyone to do their part to help keep antibiotics working for the future. The agency is issuing a reminder that antibiotics should only be used for serious bacterial infections and that the medication doesn’t work for viral infections, like a cold or flu. Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Research has shown

Project RETAIN – improving recruitment and retention of nursing staff in older people’s wards

In 2017 the Public Health Agency (PHA) was successful in securing a significant grant for ‘Project RETAIN’ from the Burdett Trust for Nursing. The funding supported an innovative regional initiative in partnership with local Health and Social Care Trusts, the Department of Health, Age NI and nurse education providers. The aim of Project RETAIN was to improve nurse retention and recruitment in care of older people’s settings in Northern Ireland. On Wednesday 24th October the project’s successes will be showcased and celebrated at an event in Antrim. The event will have contributions from a

Joint statement regarding the availability of the seasonal flu vaccine

Joint statement from the Department of Health, Public Health Agency, Health and Social Care Board, NI General Practitioners Committee of the BMA, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of General Practitioners. With this year’s flu vaccination programme in full progress, the Department of Health, Health and Social Care and professional bodies are reassuring members of the public that they will be receiving the most effective flu vaccine for their age group. Due to manufacturing constraints beyond our control, one of the flu vaccines being used in this year’s vaccination programme

Health and the Arts combine to improve health and wellbeing

“Engaging with the arts can transform communities and have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals.” That’s the key message from a symposium of specially-invited guests from the arts, health, business and government sectors taking place today, [24 October], in The MAC, Belfast. Arts Care NI, with support from the Public Health Agency (PHA), organised this one-day event, entitled Fusion, to bring together key innovators and experts from the UK and Ireland to strategically enhance health and wellbeing through creative partnerships. Dr Jenny Elliott, Chief Executive of Arts

Joint Public Health Annual Conference 2018 – Registration now CLOSED

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED - ALL PLACES ALLOCATED The Joint Public Health Annual Conference entitled ‘Early Intervention for Life’, will take place this year on Thursday 8 November 2018 in Riddel Hall, Belfast. Registration for this event is free and is now CLOSED. The programme is attached below. Please note, registration closed on Friday 2 November 2018. This annual event, organised by the Public Health Agency, is a collaborative partnership conference in conjunction with The Centre of Excellence for Public Health, Northern Ireland; The Institute of Public Health; the Department of Health