PHA Board meeting
When: 1:30pm
Where: The Bann Room, Farset International, Belfast
Agenda: http://dev.publichealthagency.org/sites/default/files/PHA%20board%20meeting%20agenda%20-%2019%20May%202011.pdf
PHA Board meeting
When: 1:30pm
Where: Board Room, Tower Hill, Armagh
PHA calls for vigilance over vomiting virus
The Public Health Agency (PHA) today called for people to be aware of the continuing presence of the winter vomiting virus within both the community and healthcare facilities. The PHA recommends simple, practical steps to minimise the risk of illness to others, especially older people and those with underlying conditions who may be more vulnerable.
Sun Awareness Week
Mental health and learning disability services
The PHA provides nursing leadership on the Bamford specialist high support services steering group and associated work streams, which include forensic services, personality disorder services, low secure services and prison mental health. The work of these groups has resulted in the:
Nurse prescribing
Neighbourhood nursing: a focus for care (Cumberlege Report, 1986) recommended that community nurses should be able to prescribe, as part of their everyday nursing care, from a limited list of items. The Crown Report (1989) endorsed nurse prescribing and highlighted the circumstances in which it could occur, and a successful private members bill led to the primary legislation (Medicinal Products: Prescription by Nurses etc. Act 1992) that provided the power for nurses to prescribe.
Remote monitoring technology for patients in their own homes
Patients with heart and respiratory conditions, diabetes and those who have suffered a stroke, can now have their vital signs, such as pulse, blood pressure and body weight, tested at home on a daily basis and monitored centrally. Dr Eddie Rooney, Public Health Agency said: “The agreement of contracts for remote telemonitoring represents a significant step towards meeting the challenges of providing quality care for the growing number of people with heart disease, COPD, stroke and diabetes who want to live at home while having their conditions safely managed.
Children and young people must be protected against measles at home and abroad
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning parents about the importance of protecting their children against the serious infectious disease measles, which can be life-threatening and spread to those who are unprotected. The PHA is urging families to get their children fully immunised with two doses of MMR before travelling off to other countries, including European destinations for Easter holidays.
Community care nursing
The community nursing service teams provide nursing care to patients in the community, and support for carers.
Community nurses work closely with GPs, social services, hospitals and other healthcare staff to provide a service tailored to meet individual needs. The service helps patients cope with ill health and disability, thus allowing them to have the best possible quality of life, while maintaining dignity and respect.