The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using World AIDS Day today as an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV and encourage people to practise safer sex and get tested if they think they might be at risk. This comes as the PHA publishes its ‘HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2017’ report, which provides analysis of the latest HIV data for Northern Ireland.

Local people living with a dementia, their families and carers, voluntary organisations and health and social care professionals are committed to partnership working, moving forward together, in the future development of dementia services in Northern Ireland. This was the key message from the Dementia Together NI Celebration Event held on 30 November 2017 at the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick.

Health professionals here have joined forces to raise awareness of the causes, signs and symptoms of Mouth Cancer. Around 200 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year in Northern Ireland, often at a late stage, with about a third of those diagnosed dying from the disease. And according to figures from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, the number of cases looks set to double by 2035.

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.