The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to stay safe and not take risks with alcohol and other drugs over the festive party season. Most fatal overdoses involve the use of more than one type of drug, and any combination of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, illicit drugs or alcohol can be dangerous. The PHA strongly recommends that you do not take any drug unless it has been prescribed to you by a medical professional and in accordance with your prescription. Stephanie Hanlon, Joint Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “We know that some people

St Brigid’s Primary School in Downpatrick got into the festive spirit by taking part in the Daily Mile Santa Run, complete with Christmas jumpers. All schools in Northern Ireland were encouraged to take part in The Daily Mile Santa Run on Friday 6 th December. The Daily Mile can be done alongside the Active School Travel (AST) programme which is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department for Infrastructure, and delivered by Sustrans. Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “St Brigid’s Primary School really went all out for their

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people who fall into an ‘at risk’ group to take up the offer of the winter vaccinations. All individuals in clinical risk groups who are aged from six months to 65 years, as well as those aged 65 years and older, are advised to receive the seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines. If you are ‘at risk’, either due to older age, a health condition, medical treatment or pregnancy, you are at increased chance of becoming seriously unwell if you contract flu or COVID-19. These viruses tend to circulate at higher levels during the winter months. Vaccines are

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding all women who could become pregnant and women who are already pregnant about the importance of taking a folic acid supplement before conception and up until the 12 th week of pregnancy. The reminder comes after the Department of Health introduced legislation that will see folic acid added to non-wholemeal flour in Northern Ireland in order to help protect newborn babies from serious brain and spine problems. The new measures will come into effect from 2026, to allow businesses to prepare for the change. Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing

Belfast City Airport has become the latest organisation to join the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme – a programme that aims to increase the number of premises which actively show support to breastfeeding mums. This new membership represents a huge support network to breastfeeding mums visiting the airport and becomes part of over 900 businesses, local government facilities and community organisations who have joined Breastfeeding Welcome Here. In joining the scheme, Belfast City Airport has pledged that: breastfeeding is welcome across all areas of its premises

Ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging increased public awareness, education and testing to ensure the progress made with HIV continues. Dr Rachel Coyle, Public Health Consultant at the PHA, said: “Earlier this year the PHA was there when Northern Ireland was officially declared a Fast Track Region, signing a declaration aimed at reaching zero new HIV diagnoses by 2030. Fast-Track Cities is a global partnership involving cities and municipalities around the world. “New treatments for HIV can stop transmission and can mean that someone who is

Members of the public are being encouraged to have their say on the direction of public health over coming years as the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) draft Corporate Plan – ‘Preventing, Protecting, Improving; Better health outcomes for everyone’ – goes out for public consultation, running from 28 November 2024 – 28 February 2025. This draft plan sets out the strategic direction for the agency for the next five years and has been developed through engagement with staff, the agency’s board, and colleagues in the Department of Health. Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the PHA, said: “Consultation

The Public Health Agency (PHA), Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) and the Western Drug and Alcohol Partnership hosted an event on 6 November 2024 in the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry~Londonderry to present the research findings of a western substance use needs assessment. This research identified local needs within the Western HSC Trust area and regional recommendations to be considered by the Western Drug and Alcohol Partnership, as they continue to work collaboratively across the locality. The event hosted a number of presentations that highlighted some of the significant developments

Consultation on the draft Public Health Agency (PHA) Corporate Plan 2025-2030 is now live. The draft Corporate Plan, initial draft equality screening, initial draft rural screening and the consultation questionnaire are all available via the PHA Website - Current Consultations section. The consultation will end on 28 February 2025. The draft Corporate Plan 2025-2030 has been developed through engagement with staff and stakeholders alongside review of key strategic documents and drivers including the vision set out by the Minister of Health in Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together, the