PHA issues statement on drinks promotions

Every summer we see an increase in bars, off licenses and supermarkets who offer promotions on alcohol. The most irresponsible promotions are those which encourage people to drink more and faster. Promotions like these, such as “Drink all you can for £20” and “Buy one get one free” encourage people to drink more alcohol in a shorter amount of time, which increases the risk to their health. It also means they are more likely to have accidents, more likely to be a victim (or perpetrator) of assault, and more likely to have unsafe sex.

Transmit: Health protection service bulletin. 2010: Issue 2

This edition of Transmit focuses on some of the issues and volume of work being handled by the health protection duty room since January 2010.

It features an outline of the arrangements for the team leading work on emergency preparedness and environmental hazards, an update – including the uptake rates – on the childhood vaccines and vaccine preventable diseases, the risks associated with exposure to bats and rabies, and new guidance that has been issued by the DHSSPS in relation to HIV infection and post-exposure prophylaxis, including sexual exposure.
 

This edition of Transmit focuses on some of the issues and volume of work being handled by the health protection duty room since January 2010. It features an outline of the arrangements for the team leading work on emergency preparedness and environmental hazards, an update – including the uptake rates – on the childhood vaccines and vaccine preventable diseases, the risks associated with exposure to bats and rabies, and new guidance that has been issued by the DHSSPS in relation to HIV infection and post-exposure prophylaxis, including sexual exposure.

PHA highlights Director of Public Health report in the western area

The Director of Public Health for Northern Ireland’s first annual report will be highlighted in the west of the province this Thursday 19 August 2010 at 12.00 noon at Gransha Park House, Londonderry. This significant report highlights the many public health challenges that affect people living in Northern Ireland. Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health leads the public health team that tackles this complex agenda, working with many statutory, community and voluntary partner organisations across health, local government, education, housing and other sectors.

CLEAR standards for community groups launched

New Service Standards and a Quality Assessment Framework for community and voluntary organisations who work in the fields of suicide prevention and mental health will be launched on Wednesday 18 August at 10.00 am in the Tara Centre in Omagh. The standards were developed by the CLEAR project, a partnership of community and voluntary sector agencies funded by the Public Health Agency and managed by Derry Healthy Cities.

Talk to your child about alcohol

With thousands of young people receiving exam results this summer, the Public Health Agency (PHA) wishes to remind parents of the value of talking to their child about alcohol.Victoria Creasy, Senior Manager for Public Health at the PHA says: “Alcohol is a huge part of our culture and there is a strong link between starting to drink at a young age and problem alcohol use as an adult.”

PHA/HSCB Hidden Harm Action Plan

This joint PHA/HSCB Hidden Harm Action Plan - Responding to the needs of children born to and living with parental alcohol and drug misuse in Northern Ireland, has been prepared for the DHSSPS in response to the PfA target on Hidden Harm. The plan was approved by DHSSPS in October 2009.

The report of the Outbreak Control Team of the investigation of an outbreak of listeriosis in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust during May to November 2008

This is the report of the interagency Outbreak Control Team (OCT) of an investigation of an outbreak of listeriosis which occurred during May to November 2008 in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.


The report describes the chronology of the outbreak and the outcome of epidemiological, environmental health and microbiological investigations. The report concludes with recommendations for public health, Trusts, the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety, the Food Standards Agency, and those responsible for hospital food procurement.
 

Teeth matter! Caring for your children's teeth: advice for parents and carers of children with special needs

This booklet explains how to care for the teeth of children with special needs.

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