This report aims to provide an overview of HIV epidemiology in Northern Ireland by collating and analysing information from a number of sources. Although it reflects epidemiological trends over time, its main focus will be on data collected in 2013.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has a lead role in protecting the population from infection and environmental hazards through a range of core functions including communicable disease surveillance and monitoring, operational support & advice, and education, training and research. 

The effective management of infectious disease depends on high quality surveillance.  Surveillance of communicable gastrointestinal infectious disease provides timely information so that public health action can result. 

The Belfast Strategic Partnership, which is led by the Public Health Agency, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Belfast City Council, is launching the Belfast Active Travel Action Plan 2014-2020 which aims to build a healthier city by encouraging people to incorporate walking and/or cycling into their daily travel.

The travel plan aims to try to make Belfast a more vibrant city where people are healthy, fit, well-connected with one another, and use physical activity as part of their everyday lives.

I am pleased to present the first annual report of the‘10,000 Voices’ initiative. This initiative has been commissioned and funded by the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and the Public Health Agency (PHA), to introduce a more patient focused approach to shaping the way services are delivered and commissioned. It provides a mechanism for patients not only to share their experience of the health services, both positive and negative, but also to affect and inform change.

Annual quality reports are a recommendation of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s (DHSSPS) Quality 2020: a 10 year strategy to protect and improve quality in Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.