The Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D) Division of the Public Health Agency is pleased to announce the launch of their new website at www.research.hscni.net The work of the HSC R&D Division is based on the principle that the best health and social care must be underpinned by knowledge and well-conducted research which can then be applied to the delivery of care.

As exams get under way, parents and guardians are being encouraged by the Public Health Agency (PHA) to support their children’s emotional wellbeing. A certain level of stress is entirely normal and can be beneficial and motivating. However some students can feel particularly pressured to achieve good results and this can have a significant impact on how they feel. Madeline Heaney, Regional Lead for Mental and Emotional Wellbeing with the PHA, said: “The pressure to do well in exams can be very stressful for young people.

The Transforming Cancer Follow-up (TCFU) Project team has been awarded a prestigious Nursing Standard Award in cancer nursing. The TCFU team received the award at a special ceremony in London. Held annually, the Nursing Standard Awards identify exceptional nursing professionals, who have improved the quality of patient care through innovation and clinical excellence. Accepting the award, on behalf of the team of Macmillan Project Managers, PHA Nurse Consultant, Mary Jo Thompson, said:

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland, with around 3,550 cases every year. Today the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland launched a new sun safety initiative to help people who work outdoors protect themselves from skin damage due to sun exposure.

Linking Generations NI (LGNI), with funding from the Public Health Agency (PHA), is coordinating a series of events to bring old and young people together to share their experiences. Over the next few weeks, almost 40 community and voluntary organisations are planning ‘Celebrating Age’ social activities in arts, cookery, bingo, tea parties, gardening and more to promote interaction between generations.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has released the final report of the Outbreak Control Team (OCT) investigations into the outbreak of E. coli O157 associated with Flicks restaurant in Belfast during 2012. The response to control the outbreak was multi-agency, involving the PHA, Belfast City Council Environmental Health, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Food Standards Agency. In addition, the OCT liaised closely with colleagues in the Health Protection Agency (now Public Health England).

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is launching seven new mobile breast screening units, the arrival of which marks the start of a new era for breast screening in Northern Ireland. They will be located across Northern Ireland and are fitted with the latest screening technology within a welcoming environment which will improve the overall breast screening experience for women.