The Public Health Agency (PHA), Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and Hospitality Ulster welcomed Nick Hewer, President of RCSLT, to Brain Injury Matters to celebrate with all those who contributed to the resources designed for the recent Swallow Aware campaign. The campaign aims to improve the lives of people with dysphagia – the medical term for eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties* – enabling them to not only eat out but to connect, interact and to enhance their mental wellbeing. The PHA and Hospitality Ulster worked in partnership with people living with

As the new life-saving Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme aimed at protecting newborns and older adults launches in Northern Ireland the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging those eligible to get vaccinated when invited. RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system, particularly in young children and older adults. RSV infections often lead to mild cold-like symptoms, but in some cases, especially in infants and individuals with compromised immune systems, it can cause severe respiratory issues and hospitalisation. From the

With the beginning of a new school year approaching, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding parents of children who will be entering year 9 that they will be offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine during the school year. The HPV vaccine helps to prevent HPV-related cancers from developing in young people. While most types of HPV are harmless, some high-risk types can lead to the development of cancers, including cervical cancer, cancers of the head and neck (mouth and throat) and cancers of the anus and genital areas. Both boys and girls in year 9 are offered a single dose of the

Following the declaration by the World Health Organization of an outbreak and rapid spread of a new strain of mpox (Clade 1) in some African countries as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is liaising with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to ensure appropriate measures are in place to manage cases and reduce the risk of spread should cases be identified in the United Kingdom. The risk to the Northern Ireland population is currently low. However, planning is under way to prepare for any cases that we might see in Northern Ireland

With young people set to receive their exam results, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents and guardians to talk to them now about risks of drinking alcohol and taking drugs. Thousands of teenagers will receive their A-level and GCSE results over the next week and following these occasions we can often see excessive drinking or drug taking, so it is important that everyone is aware of the risks, even those who have drunk alcohol or taken drugs previously. Kevin Bailey, Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “Parents and guardians can make the first move and talk

We are all appalled at the race-related violence and attacks that have taken place over recent days in Northern Ireland. This has no place in our society, and as an organisation which works very closely with a diverse range of groups and individuals across our communities, we are acutely aware of the fear and worry that this will cause for many people. Our work as the lead body for public health in Northern Ireland supports newcomer communities, groups working with people from a range of ethnic backgrounds, and people who are seeking asylum, and we understand the impact that the violence and