Impact 2012 Awards

The Impact 2012 Youth, Sustainability and Environment Awards are now open for entries. These awards, a Northern Ireland Executive Initiative led by the Department of the Environment (DOE) and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), celebrate the achievements of young people in helping to improve our economy, our health, our society and our environment.

Group B Streptococcus and pregnancy

Group B Streptococcus (also called GBS or Strep B) is a bacterium carried by up to 30 per cent of people without causing harm or symptoms. In women it is found in the intestine and vagina and causes no problem in most pregnancies. In a very small number it infects the baby, usually just before or during labour, and can lead to serious illness.

Treatment for GBS
In some circumstances antibiotics can reduce the risk of a baby developing GBS. You should be offered antibiotics during labour if:

Northern area drug and alcohol services information available

Would you like to find out about drug and alcohol support services in the Northern area? If so, drop in to the Living Rivers Church, Railway Street, Ballymena on Friday 4 November between 10am and 1pm, where a range of organisations will provide information and advice on the services they offer. Funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) this event will highlight the types and locations of alcohol and drug-related services across the Northern area. Staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions on their work, reducing harm related to drugs and alcohol.

Neurological Conditions Network - Engagement exercise summary report

This is the summary report of the Speak out for Change engagement exercise carried out by the Neurological Conditions Network. This engagement undertook to ask people’s experiences of living with a neurological condition and caring for someone with a neurological condition. Across the wide range of conditions represented,  the 142 patient experiences gathered to date, have consistently revealed issues around information, choice and control, independence and the emotional impact of neurological conditions.

Transmit: Health protection service bulletin. 2011: Issue 7

This edition of Transmit leads with the arrangements for the management of seasonal flu during the 2011/12 campaign. It provides an overview of the vaccination programme, including details on who should be vaccinated, and includes a link to the updated chapter in the Green Book.

Flu in the workplace - make it your business

It’s that time of year again, the time when you start hearing coughing and sneezing throughout the office and working days are lost due to flu. Although flu can be mild for many, people who are in at-risk groups are particularly susceptible to the seriousness of flu. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising all employers of ways flu can be reduced in the workplace, leading to less sick days and a more productive workforce.

With PHA funding, Belfast’s meningitis diagnostic test moves closer to market

Funding from the Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D) division of the Public Health Agency (PHA) has helped the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) create a new meningitis diagnostic test. The test has been licensed to HiberGene Diagnostics Ltd, a start-up client company of NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre, Dublin.

Public health advice for flooding

Flooding has affected a number of areas throughout Northern Ireland causing disruption and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people of the potential public health risks associated with such severe weather. Dr Anne Wilson, Public Health Consultant for the PHA, said: "In relation to flooding, the risk of contracting illness is generally low. However, as it is not always clear whether water is contaminated or not, the public are urged to exercise caution and assume that flood water is contaminated."

CMACE/RCOG Joint Guideline management of women with obesity in pregnancy

Maternal obesity has become one of the most commonly occurring risk factors in obstetric practice. Obesity in pregnancy is usually defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m or more at the first antenatal consultation.

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