Kids learn to stay sun safe this summer

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have developed a short video, ‘Percy Piglet and the Summer’, to educate young children about how to take care in the sun. Using puppets, the video is a fun tool for parents, nurseries and play groups to engage with children age 3-6 years on sun protection. The video, accompanied by a colourful book, is aimed at young children and early years groups and is available at https://careinthesun.org/resources/video/

Public Health Agency Business plan 2017-2018

The Public Health Agency (PHA) Annual Business Plan sets out in more detail what the PHA will do to help achieve the outcomes identified in the PHA Corporate Plan. The Annual Business Plan 2017/18 is therefore the action plan for the first year of the PHA Corporate Plan 2017 –2021. As such it incorporates actions that the PHA will take in line with the draft Programme for Government, Making Life Better andCommunity Planning.

Vaccine reminder after small number of measles cases confirmed

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the importance of getting the MMR vaccine after it was notified of a small number of measles cases in Northern Ireland and an increase of cases in other countries. The MMR vaccine can help protect against the mumps, measles and rubella. Children should receive one dose of the MMR vaccine just after their first birthday and a second dose at aged three years and four months. The vaccine is the safest and most effective way to prevent measles infection.

Initiative to tackle drugs on our streets being rolled out in Fermanagh and Omagh

An initiative known as RAPID (Remove All Prescription and Illegal Drugs), which is helping to remove prescription and illegal drugs from our streets by providing drug disposal bins, is to be launched in Fermanagh and Omagh following a successful pilot. The addition of these three bins in the Fermanagh and Omagh district will bring the total number of bins in Northern Ireland to 21. Over 65,000 tablets (over 90% of which have been prescription drugs) have been removed from our streets through this project.

Views sought on experience of discharge from hospital

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are asking those who have been discharged from hospital during the past two years to share their experience through the recently launched 10,000 MORE Voices programme, to help shape how care is designed and delivered. 10,000 MORE Voices gives people an opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences of accessing health and social care services by asking them to ‘tell us their story’.

Small grants opportunity for local communities

This small grant opportunity is now CLOSED Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for small grants which can be used to improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of local communities. Funding is being provided by the Public Health Agency (PHA) for a small grants scheme to address the themes of Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing, Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm.

You in mind - 'Your Experience Matters’ - Sensemaker re-audit 2015

In 2012, the Public Health Agency and the Health and Social Care Board surveyed people across Northern Ireland to assess their experience of Mental Health services.  The ‘Your Experience Matters’ survey was based upon nine questions developed by service users and carers from each Trust area.  In addition, through providing additional ‘free text’, individual respondents could tell their story and describe their personal experience of using mental health services.

Lifeline Crisis Response Service: pre-tender engagement

As part of the Protect Life strategy the Public Health Agency (PHA) is planning to tender for a Lifeline Crisis Response Service (LCRS), consisting of a Regional Crisis Telephone Helpline and Community-Based Support Services within each of the five HSC Trust areas. The aim of the LCRS is to help reduce the number of deaths as a result of suicide and the number of incidents of self-harm in Northern Ireland, through enabling access to appropriate services for those at immediate risk of suicide, self-harm, or homicide/suicide.

School’s out for summer – take time to talk to our young people

With thousands of young people finishing school for the summer, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents to talk to their children about the risks associated with drinking alcohol and taking drugs. Many teenagers will be spending more time with friends over the coming months, perhaps even heading off on their first solo holiday, which may lead to excessive drinking or drug taking, so there’s an important role for parents to talk to their children about the risks.
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