Art and healthcare put older people in the frame

A health and wellbeing festival for older people is helping to connect different generations in Northern Ireland through creative arts. The ‘Here and Now’ festival is co-funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Arts Care and is celebrating the creativity of older people from across Northern Ireland at a new exhibition. The ‘Right Here, Right Now’ exhibition, is open to the public at the Arts for All Gallery in Cityside Retail Park, Belfast and runs throughout the month of May. Jeff Scroggie, Regional Lead for Ageing Well at the PHA said: “The Here and Now health and wellbeing festival is a

PHA publishes youth vaping research

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has published new research – the ‘Behavioural insights into youth vaping in Northern Ireland’ report – which provides detailed information on the use of e-cigarettes and perceptions of vaping among young people, as well as insights into tobacco use, and will help inform the future design of targeted interventions and communications on vape use by young people. The research had access to the views and experiences of young people aged 11-18 years towards e-cigarette and tobacco use, and looked into their knowledge and perceptions of health risks. The findings give

Sun Awareness Week: Protect and check your skin

This Sun Awareness Week [12-18 May], the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging everyone to protect their skin from UV damage and also check it regularly for signs and symptoms of skin cancer. Frances Dowds, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “It’s great to see and feel the sunshine during the spring and summer and we hope to see plenty of sunny weather over the coming months. “Sunlight helps provide our bodies with vitamin D, supports bone health, lowers blood pressure, helps prevent disease and promotes good mental health. However

Childhood immunisation schedule changes and translations

This flyer outlines the changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Northern Ireland in 2025 and 2026 as recommended by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

This flyer outlines the changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Northern Ireland in 2025 and 2026 as recommended by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Dying matters – let’s talk about it

This Dying Matters Awareness Week (5-11 May) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department of Health (DoH) are encouraging everyone to start conversations about their future care, dying, death and bereavement to help break down stigma. This year’s theme, ‘The Culture of Dying Matters’, delves into the diverse ways that communities discuss, navigate, and commemorate death and dying, while emphasising the shared emotions that connect us all in grief and loss. Sally Convery, Nurse Consultant for Palliative Care at the PHA, said: “There are many differences in the ways that cultures and faiths

World Hand Hygiene - wash your hands when on days out with the family

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone ahead of World Hand Hygiene Day on the 5 May of the need to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly on days out with the family. Caroline McGeary, Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse at the PHA, said: “The spring and summer months are filled with days out with the family, but we want people to have pleasant memories, so it’s important for the whole family to practise good personal hygiene by washing their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot running water when out and about. “All animals naturally carry a range of

Short-term grants to help improve mental health and wellbeing

Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for grants to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing in their areas. Applications for the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) ‘Making Life Better’ short-term funding grant programme opens on Monday 28 April. Fiona Teague, Regional Lead for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing at PHA, said: “Community and voluntary organisations are acutely aware of the issues that affect people on the ground and this short-term funding programme will give them the opportunity to address issues of mental health and emotional wellbeing specific

Statistical profile of Children’s Health in Northern Ireland 2023/24

The Children’s Health in Northern Ireland 2023/24 report breaks down indicators such as birth weight, maternal BMI, maternal smoking, breastfeeding status by various geographies and by deprivation status.  The report includes comparative da

The Children’s Health in Northern Ireland 2023/24 report breaks down indicators such as birth weight, maternal BMI, maternal smoking, breastfeeding status by various geographies and by deprivation status.  The report includes

Rallying support for mental health helpline

With the rally season under way, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has teamed up with Steering Positive Minds to raise awareness of mental health support and crisis intervention by having the Lifeline helpline number promoted on a driver’s car for this season. The Lifeline 24/7 crisis intervention helpline will have its logo and phone number 0808 808 8000 on the back of the car of reigning Northern Ireland junior driver champion Ben McFall throughout the 2025 Irish rally championships. The partnership had its official launch at the Circuit of Ireland Rally on Friday (18 April) and has already

Secondary school health app wallet card

This wallet card is given to Year 8 students by the School Nursing Service. It directs students to https://apps4healthcareni.hscni.net/en-GB/helping-you-thrive-in-secondary-school which hosts apps to help with their mental health.

This wallet card is given to Year 8 students by the School Nursing Service.

Subscribe to