All of Northern Ireland’s 96 public libraries are joining the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme. The new members will take the number of businesses, council facilities and popular tourist attractions signed up to the scheme to over 600.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is aware of issues identified with the breast screening programme in England. We have taken this opportunity to review the systems and processes, through which women are invited for screening in Northern Ireland, to ensure that they are in line with our policy here. No issues have been identified.

May is Walking Month and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is setting everyone a challenge to count their steps and then try to do a bit more. There are many health benefits of walking and adding a brisk pace to your step can help you feel good, reduce anxiety, help manage your weight, reduce blood pressure and help you sleep better. It is also very enjoyable and a good opportunity to socialise, which is also good for health.

‘Cancer Caring Coping’ ( www.qub.ac.uk/sites/CancerCaringCoping) is a new online resource created by cancer caregivers for cancer caregivers. It is based on research by Dr Olinda Santin from Queen’s University Belfast, who found that cancer caregivers have poorer health compared to caregivers of other chronic conditions.

Over 70 health and research professionals came together for a workshop on Tuesday 17 April to make sure Northern Ireland actively contributes to setting the health systems research agenda for the coming years, both at home and abroad. This ‘National Round Table Consultation’ was organised by the Research and Development Division of the Public Health Agency (HSC R&D, PHA) at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, with the support of TO-REACH, a European consortium of 28 partners from throughout Europe and beyond, including funding bodies, policy makers and researchers.

What is scarlet fever? Scarlet fever is a common childhood infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as group A Streptococcus [GAS]). These bacteria may be found on the skin, throat and other sites where they can live without causing problems. Under some circumstances GAS can cause non-invasive infections such as pharyngitis, impetigo and scarlet fever. On rare occasions they can cause severe disease, including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, necrotising fasciitis, and septicaemia.

Latest figures have revealed that the percentage of people in Northern Ireland on the Organ Donor Register (ODR) continues to rise, but with the number of actual donors having levelled out, much work still needs to be done, says the Public Health Agency (PHA).