Care Opinion the online user feedback service in Northern Ireland, will host a virtual event on Wednesday 10 November to celebrate one year since its inception in August 2020. The online feedback platform has received 2,641 pieces of feedback from service users, families and carers some of which are helping to make improvements in Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. The event will showcase examples from each of the six HSC Trusts as to how Care Opinion feedback is impacting and improving services across the region. Health Minister Robin Swann, who will open the virtual event said

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed that 125 cases of the COVID-19 Variant Under Investigation VUI-21OCT-01 also known as AY.4.2 and ‘Delta plus’, have been detected in Northern Ireland (confirmed and probable cases as of 27 October 2021). The new strain, which is a mutation of the existing Delta variant, has been found in at least 42 countries, according to a WHO epidemiological update, including other jurisdictions in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, India and the United States. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly Public Health England, has designated it a "Variant Under

As schools, pupils and parents get ready for the return to class after the mid-term break, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Education Authority (EA) are highlighting the importance of regular asymptomatic testing in schools in reducing the spread of COVID-19. All pupils in years 8-14, and all staff in pre-schools, primary schools and post-primary schools who do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, are strongly urged to take part in the asymptomatic testing programme. Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said: “It’s estimated that around one third of people with

Ahead of World Stroke Day on 29 October the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to think ‘FAST’ if they see someone having a stroke. Stroke is a common cause of death and disability in Northern Ireland. There are approximately 2,800 new strokes here every year, and while the majority of strokes occur in people over the age of 65, it can strike at any age, with 25% occurring in people under the age of 65. Dr Brid Farrell, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “ This World Stroke Day we want to raise awareness of the main signs and symptoms of stroke and what to do if you

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling on the parents of eligible children to talk to them about the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and make an informed choice together about getting vaccinated. This year in Northern Ireland, the childhood flu vaccination programme will be offered to pre-school and primary school children as well as those in Year 8 to Year 12 of post primary school. In addition, children aged 12 to 15 will now be offered one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through the school immunisation programme. This decision comes following recommendations from the four UK Chief Medical

With the rollout of COVID-19 booster vaccination programme under way across residential care homes in Northern Ireland, care home staff are being encouraged to get the booster to help further protect themselves, residents and co-workers. The booster programme, which is available to residents as well as care home staff, helps to prolong protection already received from the initial COVID-19 vaccinations and will help reduce hospitalisations as we head into colder weather and what will be a challenging period for our health service. Sandra Aitcheson, Assistant Director of Nursing at the Public