Don’t be tempted to give your skin a roasting!

Sunbeds are a popular way to top up a fading summer tan or to get one in time for the Christmas party season, but with evidence of health risks associated with sunbed use, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging people to think twice before using them – it isn’t worth the risk. Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Modern sunbeds work by exposing the user to UV radiation which can be the equivalent of Mediterranean sunlight at midday in August.

Take steps to deal with stress at work

It’s National Stress Awareness Day today so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging employers and employees to take practical steps to deal with stress in work life. The theme of this year’s National Stress Awareness Day is ‘Employee Wellbeing as a Worthwhile Investment in Your Business’. “A certain level of stress is part of daily life,” said Amanda O’Neill, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer with the PHA.

Public Health Agency Self- Harm Symposium Conference Report

Public Health Agency Self- Harm Symposium 27 February 2015, Conference Report.

Pregnant women urged to get whooping cough vaccine

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding women who are 28 weeks pregnant or more to get the whooping cough vaccine as it can protect your newborn baby in their first weeks of life against whooping cough. There has been an increase in the number of cases of whooping cough (pertussis) in Northern Ireland, with 79 confirmed cases so far this year. The total confirmed cases for the whole of 2014 was 33. The total in 2013 was 54, but there aren’t as many this year as in 2012 which saw 314 cases.

Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae/Carbapenemase Producing Organism (CPE/CPO) staff information leaflet

This leaflet contains information for healthcare workers on Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae/Carbapenemase Producing Organism (CPE/CPO)

Regional Guidelines for management of patients absent Without Leave (AWOL)

The overarching purpose of these guidelines is to promote the safety and protection of service users and others in the event of a service user going missing or Absent Without Leave (AWOL). The guidelines provide a framework for all staff when it is determined that a service user is absent without leave.

The overarching purpose of these guidelines is to promote the safety and protection of service users and others in the event of a service user going missing or Absent Without Leave (AWOL). The guidelines provide a framework for all staff when it is determined that a service user is absent without leave.

Time to take the scare out of palliative care

Issued on behalf of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care. Public information website on palliative care launched. It’s time to take the scare out of palliative care – that’s the message this week as a Northern Ireland wide public information campaign gets underway. Palliative Care Week is highlighting that a palliative care approach improves quality of life for different people in many different care settings – the home, in a nursing home, in a hospital, or in hospice.

Gastrointestinal Infections Annual Surveillance Report 2014

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has a lead role in protecting the population from infection and environmental hazards through a range of core functions including communicable disease surveillance and monitoring, operational support & advice, and education, training and research. 

Mental health training opportunities for churches

Members of the clergy and those who work in churches in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to take up training opportunities in faith and mental health and pastoral support. The partnership group Flourish! is hosting training sessions to promote mental and emotional wellbeing which will take place in November and January. Flourish! is a partnership between Lighthouse Ireland, the Churches’ Community Work Alliance (Northern Ireland) and clergy from across the Christian churches in Northern Ireland.
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