The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a new programme of investment that will provide support to communities in response to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic. The PHA is encouraging groups to apply to the short-term funding programme, which can be used to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities living through COVID-19. Professor Hugo Van Woerden, Director of Public Health at PHA, said: “Communities have risen to the challenge of the pandemic and created a strong web of mutual support, highlighting the importance of community infrastructure in dealing with such challenges

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is launching a new mass media campaign today to raise awareness of the symptoms of COVID-19, the importance of testing and the role contact tracing can play in limiting the spread of infection. This comes as Northern Ireland progresses through the coronavirus recovery plan, with the aim of reminding the public of the important role everyone has to play in minimising the risk of a second wave of infection. The campaign will include TV and radio ads, social and digital activity, and outdoor advertising. Health Minister Robin Swann said: “I very much welcome the

A new programme of free online Stress Control classes will start on 13th July 2020 with classes running on a monthly basis until December 2020. The programme has been developed to support people dealing with the effects of the pandemic on their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Topics covered include an overview of what stress is, controlling your body and your thoughts, controlling your actions, and techniques to get a good night’s sleep. Stress control is a class, not ‘group therapy’. People can take part in the class from the privacy of their own home. Dr Kevin Dyer, Psychology Lead

“We can confirm that an audit review of fit testing for respiratory masks is ongoing within the HSC system. “This is being done on a precautionary basis. “It has emerged that one independent contractor, which conducted Fit Testing of masks during the pandemic, had inadvertently applied on some occasions a fit-testing setting not normally used in Northern Ireland. This should have been readjusted to the UK Fit Testing requirements. “We are advised that any risk to staff is likely to be low. “The HSC system is now carrying out a validation and audit exercise of all fit-tests conducted by this