Lifeline crisis support service interim arrangements confirmed

Lifeline is Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. The Public Health Agency (PHA) commissions the Lifeline service and the current contract is due to end on 31st March 2018. The PHA offered a contract extension to the current provider, Contact (Northern Ireland), to continue to deliver this service from 1st April 2018. However, late last year Contact (Northern Ireland) decided not to accept the offer of extension of the current contract.

HSC R&D partner £54 million initiative to transform health through data science

The PHA’s HSC R&D Division is working in partnership with Health Data Research UK which is awarding an initial £30 million funding to six sites across the UK to address challenging healthcare issues through use of data science. Each site has world-class expertise; a track record in using health data to derive new knowledge, scientific discovery and insight; and works in close partnership with NHS bodies and the public to translate research findings into benefits for patients and populations.

#NotSorryMums: New campaign urges mums to be proud of breastfeeding

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a new campaign highlighting the health benefits of breastfeeding and supporting mums to feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public. Northern Ireland has the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the UK, so the #NotSorryMums campaign aims to encourage women to breastfeed and highlights how mothers never have to apologise for feeding their baby in public.

Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) scheme and providers

The Needle and Syringe Exchange Service is a free, confidential service available for individuals who inject drugs. Our service aims to help reduce the spread of bloodborne viruses by offering free, sterile injecting equipment and by safely

The Needle and Syringe Exchange Service is a free, confidential service for people who inject drugs. It is designed to reduce the spread of blood borne viruses by providing free, sterile injecting equipment and by disposing of used equipment safely. The leaflet explains how the scheme works and provides contact details for all the participating pharmacies, and the local outreach teams.

Individual healthcare plan for Type 1 diabetes

This individual healthcare plan is intended to be completed by the Diabetes Specialist Nurse for any child or young person with Type 1 diabetes in a school or Early Years setting. It is recommended that the plan should be discussed and agreed annually between the Specialist Nurse, parent/carer and the school. It provides a summary of day-to-day care, including regular times for blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration, the level of supervision required, special dietary needs and adaptations required when exercising.

Breastfeeding campaign posters

These posters were developed to support the breastfeeding campaign which aims to support mums to breastfeed in public and promote the health benefits of breastfeeding.

Flu activity remains at moderate levels

The latest data published by the Public Health Agency (PHA) show that flu activity decreased last week [15th January – 21st January 2018]. However activity still remains at moderate levels, so the PHA is reminding everyone of importance of hand hygiene and self-care when preventing and managing colds and flu. Dr Jillian Johnston, Consultant at the PHA, said: “We may have seen a reduction in the prevalence of flu last week, but we shouldn’t become complacent. The fact remains that people are still falling ill with flu, so we should all take steps to prevent its spread.
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