Clean hands save lives: Global Hand Hygiene Day

Each year, millions of infections are prevented through the simple act of washing your hands. So today [Friday 5 May], on the World Health Organization’s global Hand Hygiene Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone that washing your hands regularly and thoroughly can save lives and avoid the need to use antibiotics to treat these infections. The theme for Hand Hygiene Day is ‘Fight antibiotic resistance – it’s in your hands’.

Awareness campaign launched to combat prescription medicine abuse

The Health and Social Care Board and the Public Health Agency have launched a Safe Medicines campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of misusing prescription medication. It’s estimated that the misuse of prescription medication such as Tramadol, Diazepam and antidepressants was responsible for 27 times more deaths than illicit drugs such as cocaine in 2015*.

10,000 Voices Regional Report: Experience of Paediatric Autism and CAMHS Project

The 10,000 Voices initiative is designed to capture the lived experience of people who use services and affords them an opportunity to tell their story in a way that enables services to change and improve.

The survey was undertaken in partnership with the PHA and this report represents the first time the 10,000 Voices initiative has surveyed any aspect of children’s services.

Suicide awareness training for churches

Clergy and those who work for churches across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to take part in specially tailored suicide awareness training. Sessions are being hosted in the coming year by suicide prevention group ‘Flourish!’ Flourish! is a partnership between clergy from across the Christian churches in Northern Ireland and the suicide prevention charity Lighthouse. The initiative has the support of the leaders of the four larger churches in Ireland and has been developed in partnership with and supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Physical activity infographics

A new tool has been distributed to GPs to help highlight the importance of physical activity. Consisting of three infographics covering the age groups 0-5 years, 5-18 years, and adults and older people, it is designed to encourage health professionals to talk to their patients about why it's important to be physically active. Each infographic highlights the benefits of physical activiity and outlines the amount and type of activity that is recommended for that age group. Quantities of each infographic have also been distributed to the Trust health promotion resource centres.

Dementia Together NI - newsletter

This quarterly newsletter provides news and updates on the ongoing Dementia Together NI project.

Subscribe to