Antibody testing for COVID-19
Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director, R&D Division, PHA
Enhanced rollout of online Stress Control Classes announced
A new programme of free online Stress Control classes will start on 13th July 2020 with classes running on a monthly basis until December 2020. The programme has been developed to support people dealing with the effects of the pandemic on their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Topics covered include an overview of what stress is, controlling your body and your thoughts, controlling your actions, and techniques to get a good night’s sleep. Stress control is a class, not ‘group therapy’. People can take part in the class from the privacy of their own home. Dr Kevin Dyer, Psychology Lead
Domestic Abuse and Staying safe during COVID-19
Deirdre Webb, PHA and Edel Fox, Omagh Women’s Aid
Understanding COVID-19 in Northern Ireland through the lens of surveillance and epidemiology
Dr Lynsey Patterson, Head of Health Protection Surveillance, PHA, and Dr Claire Neill, Specialty Registrar in Public Health, PHA
Making the most of screen time during lockdown
Claire Dorris, National Children’s Bureau and Maurice Meehan, Public Health Agency
Audit review of fit testing for respiratory masks
“We can confirm that an audit review of fit testing for respiratory masks is ongoing within the HSC system. “This is being done on a precautionary basis. “It has emerged that one independent contractor, which conducted Fit Testing of masks during the pandemic, had inadvertently applied on some occasions a fit-testing setting not normally used in Northern Ireland. This should have been readjusted to the UK Fit Testing requirements. “We are advised that any risk to staff is likely to be low. “The HSC system is now carrying out a validation and audit exercise of all fit-tests conducted by this
Gardening during lockdown
Dianne Keys, The Conservation Volunteers, and Laura Taylor, PHA. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here.
The vital role of the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network
Dr Clive Wolsley, Programme Manager, HSC R&D Division.
COVID-19 recovery: meeting the rehabilitation needs of people in Northern Ireland
Michelle Tennyson, Assistant Director of Allied Health Professions, Personal and Public Involvement and Patient Experience, Public Health Agency. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here.