Check your skin for change on Sun Awareness Week

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are reminding people during Sun Awareness Week (5 to 11 May 2014) to check their skin for signs of skin cancer.Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that begins in the skin and can spread to other organs in the body. The most common sign of malignant melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole.

Northern Ireland Prevalence Survey of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Use in Long Term Care Facilities

The Northern Ireland Prevalence Survey of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Use in Long Term Care Facilities, also known as the ‘HALT’ survey was conducted as part of the 2013 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) European HALT survey.

In May 2013, 42 Northern Ireland long-term care facilities (nursing and residential homes) participated in a European point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use. Thirty-one privately owned nursing homes and 11 HSC Trust-controlled residential homes took part.

Have a wee chat organ donation leaflet

The ‘Have a Wee Chat’ leaflet and registration form provides information about how organ donation saves and transforms lives.

Speak up and save a life leaflet and registration form - See more at: http://organdonationni.info/resources#sthash.fJpwUrw6.dpuf

PHA urges employers to support workers to stub it out

Smoking levels among manual workers remain high in Northern Ireland, with 31% of manual workers smoking. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging businesses in Northern Ireland to avail of the ‘Workplace Stop Smoking Service’ which has been set up by the PHA to provide free assistance for employers across Northern Ireland to help reduce smoking rates among their workforce.

Depression Awareness Week

The Public Health Agency welcomes the annual Depression Awareness Week, 28 April- 3 May. For information about Aware Defeat Depression or Depression Awareness Week call 028 9035 7820 or visit the website www.aware-ni.org.uk Anyone who is concerned about depression should speak to their GP or other health professional. For more information on depression see http://www.mindingyourhead.info/topic/depression

Immunisation remains a top priority for Northern Ireland parents

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is marking European Immunisation Week (22–26 April 2014) by celebrating the excellent childhood immunisation uptake levels being achieved in Northern Ireland, which are well above the UK average. Many childhood diseases which were common in Northern Ireland prior to the introduction of vaccination have been dramatically reduced or have disappeared altogether, such as polio, diphtheria, tetanus, measles and several types of meningitis.
Subscribe to