The findings of a Public Health Agency (PHA) evaluation report on a suicide prevention training programme were today presented at the North South Ministerial Council Health Sector meeting.

The Public Health Agency is aware that the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has been dealing with two linked cases of TB and a third possible case. As is usual practice, health protection experts at PHA have been working closely with the Trust on the public health management and follow up of contacts, in line with national guidance.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) supports the Chief Medical Officer’s first UK-wide physical activity guidelines, launched today. Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health for Northern Ireland, said: "The PHA welcomes the new guidelines which highlight the established link between physical activity levels and reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and obesity.

Issued on behalf of NHS Blood & Transplant Belfast residents were kept entertained during yesterday’s morning commute and throughout the day as part of activity for National Transplant Week 2011. This was to highlight that over 2001 people in Northern Ireland are waiting for an organ transplant2. NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) and Health & Social Care NI (HSCNI) teams hit the streets with entertainers including Joby Fox, singer & songwriter, and pupils from Newtownards-based Pauline Walker Dance & Stage School.

As the holidays approach, with long summer nights, parties, barbeques and relaxing in the warm weather, the Public Health Agency is encouraging people to know their limits and not to overindulge when drinking alcohol. Enjoying the summer means taking care of yourself and others and, if you choose to drink, staying within safe alcohol limits.

A recent ‘Walk@work’ seminar led by Dr Nick Gilson of the University of Queensland, Australia was hosted by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Physical Activity and Health Research Group at the University of Ulster.

The international research co-led by Queen’s University, Belfast, that has developed a radical new treatment for cystic fibrosis was enabled by significant research infrastructure investment from Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D), a division of the Public Health Agency (PHA). The new drug, a landmark achievement, will benefit people who have the ‘celtic gene’, a genetic mutation which is particularly common in Ireland.

Figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) show that across Northern Ireland, a remarkable 33,833 smokers took the first step to a healthier life by availing of ‘stop smoking’ services (April 2010 to the end of March 2011). This is an increase of 44% from the previous year.