A need for a greater focus on planning, emotional care, and clear communication has been highlighted in a new survey of Palliative Care users. The findings are contained in a study of experiences of Palliative Care among patients, carers and families across the island of Ireland undertaken by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC).

October marks the beginning of autumn and the official start of the seasonal flu vaccination programme for 2014/2015. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all people whose health could be seriously affected by flu to get the free flu vaccine. GPs across Northern Ireland will be inviting people over 65, pregnant women, and ‘at risk’ children and adults to have the flu vaccine, as flu can be particularly serious for these groups.

A public information campaign to highlight how palliative care improves the quality of life of a person with an incurable illness is taking place across Northern Ireland next week. The campaign Making the most of life will run for a week from October 6th. It is an all-island campaign coordinated by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC). Public information is available at www.palliativecareweek.com

HSC R&D Division wishes to announce that the 30 September 2014 deadline for submissions to the Enabling Research Awards Scheme has been extended until 7 October 2014. For administrative purposes, no new submissions to the scheme will be accepted after this date until further notice. It is anticipated that the scheme will re-open in early 2015, and further details will be issued in due course.

October is International Walk to School Month and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents in Northern Ireland to do the school run on foot and start to feel the benefits for both them and their children. Statistics from the charity Living Streets show that in the UK 81% of parents with primary school children walked to school when they were younger, but today only 47% of their children walk to school.

The latest figures released by the Public Health Agency (PHA) show that the number of diagnoses of uncomplicated gonorrhoea is still rising.

The Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D) Division of the Public Health Agency (PHA) wishes to advise that the consultation on the draft HSC R&D strategy A Strategy for Health & Social Care Research and Development in Northern Ireland has been launched today. The consultation will be open until 5pm on Friday 02 January 2015.

Stoptober is back and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is supporting the campaign by urging all smokers to take part in the 28 day stop smoking challenge during October, as smokers who give up their habit for four weeks are five times more likely to stop for good. Gerry Bleakney, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said: “Stopping smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health, so Stoptober is the perfect opportunity to give up your habit and enjoy both the health and financial benefits that stopping will bring.

Research from the College of Optometrists shows that 84% of adults value their sight more than any other sense, yet many people are living with poor vision and putting their sight at risk because of failure to get their eyes checked. During National Eye Health Week (22–28 September) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the importance of eye health and the need for everyone to have their eyes tested every two years.