The future of antibiotics depends on all of us to use them properly, so ahead of World Antibiotics Awareness Week (18-24 November) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is asking everyone to help keep antibiotics working. Research has shown that a continued rise in antibiotic resistance could, by 2050, lead to 10 million people dying every year as a result. Dr Jenny Mack, Public Health Doctor at the PHA, said: “If we continue to use antibiotics at the current rate, we could face a return to the days before they existed, when people died from simple infections and where the risk of infection made

Later this month the Public Health Agency (PHA) along with Health and Social Care (HSC) partners, service users and carers, as well as the community and voluntary sector, will host ‘Involve Fest’, a week-long celebration of involvement. Involvement, also known as Personal and Public Involvement (PPI), is the involvement of service users, carers and the public in the planning, commissioning, delivery and evaluation of HSC services, in ways that are relevant to them. Involve Fest will run from the 18 to 23 November and events for the week will showcase what involvement really means. Michelle

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging 70 and 78 year olds to get the free shingles vaccine when invited. The vaccine helps protect against this common and painful disease and its complications. Each year in Northern Ireland around 1,000 people in their seventies will get shingles. People who were aged 70 or 78 years of age on the 1 September 2019 are eligible to receive the vaccine. Dr Jillian Johnston, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “This year just under 30,000 70 and 78 years olds will be eligible for this vaccine. Those who were eligible for the vaccine in

This week is Stress Awareness Week (4th- 8th November). The Public Health Agency (PHA) has organised opportunities for those experiencing stress to participate in stress control classes. These classes are funded by the PHA and delivered by Health and Social Care Trusts across Northern Ireland. Stress is the feeling of being unable to cope as a result of too much mental or emotional pressure. Common signs of stress can include sleeping problems, sweating, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating. You may feel anxious, irritable, experience racing thoughts, worry constantly or go over

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has been made aware that there is likely to be a delay in the supply of some of the Fluenz Tetra children’s vaccine due to arrive next month. The vaccine is procured by Public Health England on behalf of all of the UK. The delay is due to issues relating to routine testing of the Fluenz Tetra nasal flu vaccine by the manufacturer and is not related to the safety or the efficacy of the vaccine. Work is under way to minimise potential disruption to the childhood flu immunisation programme in Northern Ireland caused by this. In line with the rest of the UK the Chief

The need to put strong partnership working at the centre of public health is the central focus of the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report, published today. Speaking at the launch in Bellaghy, Dr Adrian Mairs, Acting Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “One of the key challenges facing us as a society is health inequality. This is a complex issue that involves many different and interwoven factors, including childhood development, deprivation, the social and physical environment, and education. This means the response needs to be collaborative and results

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has funded Extern to commence a pilot project of a community-based needle exchange service, helping to meet the needs of people who inject. Those who previously used the Boots Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme (NSES) service will continue to have full access to needle exchange services in Belfast city centre Along with the new community-based pilot project, they will be redirected to other needle exchange community pharmacies in the city centre, and for clients with more complex needs, community-based service providers, including the Belfast Drug Outreach team

Claragh Gibney, a year 9 pupil at St Colman’s, Ballynahinch was diagnosed three years ago with type 1 diabetes after her mum Teresa took her to her GP after noticing a number of symptoms. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin. It is the most common type of diabetes in children and young adults. Claragh’s mum Teresa explains: “She was a perfectly healthy nine year old. She went to school and attended dance classes; it wasn’t until we went on holidays that she started to get sick. “We noticed her asking for drinks – water, juice or