From 2023, adults in Northern Ireland will be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group. The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill, which passed the final stage of consideration in the Assembly today, will be known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in recognition of five-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann. Dáithí has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018. During this time his family have worked tirelessly to campaign for a move towards soft opt-out law and to promote organ donation. Welcoming the landmark law change, Health Minister

HSBC UK has become the newest member of the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme, highlighting their commitment to supporting breastfeeding mums. The scheme is an initiative that aims to make it easier for mums to recognise places where they can breastfeed their baby when they are out and about. All five regional branches of HSBC UK have joined a network of ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ 800-plus venues that include many cafes, shops, council facilities, universities, tourist attractions and other businesses across Northern Ireland, and in doing so have agreed that

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents not to put off getting their child vaccinated against childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps and rubella. Many childhood diseases that were common in the UK prior to the introduction of vaccination have been dramatically reduced or have disappeared altogether. However, once a disease fades from prominence, it is easy to forget how serious it can be. Unfortunately, unless vaccine uptake remains high in Northern Ireland, many of these deadly diseases will return from parts of the world where they still occur. The MMR (measles, mumps and

Now that the school-based COVID-19 vaccination programme has ended, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding those aged between 12 and 17 who have not yet received a first dose or are waiting on a second dose, that they can make arrangements to do so through Trust vaccination hubs. Dr Jillian Johnston, Joint Interim Assistant Director in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “The school-based programme is now complete and from now on any further first or second doses for this age group will be administered at the Trust hubs. “We are urging young people to make time over the half-term holidays

This Sexual Health Week (7-11 February) the Public Health Agency (PHA), along with the Sexual Health Improvement Network (SHIN), is urging everyone to talk openly about relationships and sex with their partners, friends and children to normalise how we view these issues. The theme for this year’s Sexual Health Week is ‘Let’s Talk SEX’ because looking after your sexual health can have a positive impact on both your mental and physical wellbeing. Barbara Porter, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “ Sexual relationships should always be consensual, and enjoying that

Today, on World Cancer Day (4 February), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the signs and symptoms of cancer and encouraging people to seek medical advice from their GP if they are concerned. “During the COVID-19 pandemic people may have concerns about a change in their body, but might be hesitant in contacting their doctor,” said Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA. “The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of survival, as treatments are more likely to be successful. It is important not to delay if you develop a sign or symptom which has the

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents of eligible 5 to 11 year olds to get their child vaccinated without delay. The call comes following the JCVI recommendation that children aged 5 to 11 years in a clinical risk group, or children who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed, should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. Most children who get COVID-19 have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. But the children being offered this vaccine have certain health conditions, putting them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and more likely to have to go to

Although it’s not unusual to have cases of the winter vomiting bug also known as norovirus at this time of the year, the Public Health Agency (PHA) would like to remind the public of the simple, practical steps to minimise the risk of illness to others, especially older people and those with underlying conditions who may be more vulnerable. Dr Gillian Armstrong, Interim Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “The winter vomiting virus is a frequent hazard to health that causes unpleasant and brief illness for many people. The most commonly reported symptoms are nausea, vomiting and

Lifeline, Northern Ireland’s free-phone crisis counselling helpline, received over 44,000 calls in 2021, with approximately 3,670 calls per month - an average of one call to Lifeline every 12 minutes last year. Lifeline is the regional crisis intervention service that supports people experiencing distress or despair and is available for people of all ages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, where all the calls are answered by qualified crisis counsellors. Over the past year, the top three issues that people called the Lifeline service for support for included experiencing thoughts of suicide