Eating well – a workbook for substance users

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Council for the Homeless Northern Ireland (CHNI) have launched an important booklet to encourage substance users to think about their nutrition and eat a balanced diet, to help improve their health and wellbeing. Nutrition for substance users – a step by step workbook for people using alcohol and other drugs, is a resource that can be used by individuals both in addiction and homeless settings, with or without support from staff. It has been widely distributed in the Belfast and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust areas.

Warning to travellers about Legionnaires cases in Spain

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning Northern Ireland holidaymakers travelling to Spain this summer to be aware of signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease following an alert of 12 new cases in Costa Blanca. The cases have been associated with the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca. This is the third cluster of Legionnaires’ cases associated with the hotel this year; bringing the total since the start of 2012 to 33.

PHA warns travellers on the risk of rabies

For those lucky few who are escaping the rain to enjoy warmer climates over the summer months, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is taking the opportunity to remind them about the risk of catching rabies from animals. As holiday makers and students taking a gap year prepare to travel abroad, they can often forget the importance of seeking medical advice on whether the country or countries they are visiting require vaccinations against some serious diseases.

Community Development Strategy May 2012

The Community Development Strategy for Health and Wellbeing has been developed jointly by the Health and Social Care Board and the Public Health Agency. The main purpose of the strategy is to recognise and support the important and pivotal role that community development plays in improving health and wellbeing. The HSCB and PHA want to see strong, resilient communities where everyone has good health and wellbeing – places where people look out for each other and have community pride in where they live. We seek to narrow the gap in health inequalities and improve the health an

New opportunities for Northern Ireland-based researchers

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has welcomed today’s announcement by Health Minister Edwin Poots that Northern Ireland-based researchers will benefit from new opportunities created through contributing annually to England’s National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). The funding commitment will enable researchers based in Northern Ireland to compete in selected research programmes alongside colleagues from across the UK.

Transforming Your Care

In June 2011 the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Edwin Poots MLA, announced a review of Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland. This review examined the provision of a range of health services, including acute hospital configuration and primary health care. The Minister's Department will publish key documents and latest news about Transforming Your Care on its website at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

PHA urges everyone to get behind National Transplant Awareness Week… Pass it on!

The PHA is urging everyone in Northern Ireland to join forces to support National Transplant Awareness Week, which runs from 9-15 July. The theme for this year’s National Transplant Awareness Week is ‘Pass it On’, which is about encouraging others to sign the Register and most importantly expressing their wishes to family and friends. Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency and Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee for Organ Donation, said: “I have signed the NHS Organ Donor Register, and told my friends and families… have you?”
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