With a yellow warning for ice to continue into the weekend, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising everyone to look after themselves and their neighbours during the cold snap. For some the onset of the cold weather can bring many hazards. Vulnerable and older people can find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated during the cold weather, putting them at risk. The PHA is encouraging everyone to look out for those who may be more vulnerable during the cold weather and check that they are ok.

Researchers at the School of Pharmacy, Ulster University in partnership with Public Health Agency have developed a questionnaire (online and hard copy) to evaluate patient opinions of a service available from community pharmacy called a Medicine Use Review (MUR). Please only respond to this questionnaire if you have had a Medicine Use Review with your pharmacist.

Mother-of-two Lisa Lecky was always an active person. She walked to and from work in Belfast every day. Two years ago she suffered a stroke which affected her left side. She has lost the power of her left arm and relies on a stick to walk. Now 40, Lisa never thought she’d be able to walk properly again, let alone cycle.

The seasonal flu vaccination programme for 2017/18 is under way and one little girl is already prepared for the winter flu season. Anna Sheridan (2) from Bangor, Co Down, has been to her local GP surgery and had her flu nasal spray.

Children under two years are significantly more at risk of serious illness from influenza if they have older brothers or sisters, new research has shown. The flu virus spreads through the air when people cough and sneeze without covering their nose and mouth. With children of all ages mixing at parent and toddler groups, in day nurseries and at childminders, and because young children don’t always cover their noses or mouths when coughing or sneezing the virus can spread very quickly among them.

Lifeline is Northern Ireland’s 24/7 crisis support service for people in distress or despair.

This European Antibiotics Awareness Day [18 November] the importance of responsible antibiotic use is being highlighted across the health and agriculture sectors. The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have teamed up to call on health professionals, veterinary practitioners, industry and the public to make better use of antibiotics and preserve them for their most important use – serious bacterial infections.

This year’s flu vaccination programme is now under way, and has received the backing of Nurse of The Year Siobhan Rogan, who is highlighting the importance of the flu vaccine particularly for ‘at risk’ groups and healthcare workers.