| HSC Public Health Agency

Good news – smoking rates are declining

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Statistics released today in the 2016/17 Health Survey for Northern Ireland show that smoking prevalence has dropped by two percent. Meaning that the percentage of the population here who are smokers is now 20% – the lowest since the survey began in 1983.*

Research into transitioning between services

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Research into transitioning between services: Improving the experiences of young and old The Public Health Agency (PHA) today [Friday 20 October] launched the findings of two new research studies which looked at the transition of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) into old age; and, the transition of young people with mental health problems to adult mental health services.

Guide to speaking publicly about self-harm/suicide/mental health issues

These publications provide advice for people who have been asked to speak in public about their personal experiences of self-harm, suicide or other mental health issues, and the organisations that may be supporting them.

The Guide to speaking publicly is aimed at individuals considering an invitation to speak. It aims to help them think through whether now is the right time for them to share their experience and, if they choose to do so, it provides them with some useful tips on how to proceed.

Clarification regarding tendering for all apsects of the revised Lifeline service

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A news story on Lifeline broadcast on 17 October 2017 reported that a particular named provider would deliver the regional helpline aspect of the revised Lifeline service. The Public Health Agency would like to clarify that all parts of the service – the regional helpline and the follow-on counselling services in each HSC Trust area – will go out to public tender and contracts will be awarded based on this process. This was clarified on air on 18 October 2017.

Keeping people with dementia active during winter months

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In line with our dementia ‘Still Me’ campaign and the fast approaching winter months, it is important to keep people with dementia active by engaging in activities that they are interested in and are not weather permitting. Here are some tips on how to do so:

Get the shingles jab if you are aged 70 or 78

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The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding all people aged 70 and 78 years old that they are eligible to receive the shingles vaccine. Every year in Northern Ireland, around 1,000 people in their seventies will get shingles. The vaccine will help protect against this common and painful disease and its complications.

Funding to retain nurses in care of older people

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The Public Health Agency (PHA) is delighted to have been successful in securing a significant grant for ‘Project RETAIN’ from the prestigious Burdett Trust for Nursing. The funding will support a regional initiative in partnership with local Health and Social Care Trusts, the Department of Health, Age NI and nurse education providers, which will aim to improve nurse retention and recruitment in care of older people’s settings in Northern Ireland.

Adverse weather

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During adverse weather many people can experience a range of situations associated with the extreme weather such as cold and freezing temperatures, no electricity or mains water and flooding. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has compiled public health information to assist the public in these situations.

One Stop Shop evaluations

The Public Health Agency commissioned Social MarketResearch (www.socialmarketresearch.co.uk) to undertake an evaluation of the ‘One StopShop’ (OSS) Programme. These reports present the outcomes from this evaluations as well as points for consideration to support the further development of the programme.

Stop smoking in Stoptober!

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During Stoptober the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all smokers in Northern Ireland to use this time as an opportunity to quit for good by availing of one of the free stop smoking services that are available here. Colette Rogers, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said: “Stopping smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. While we know that stopping smoking isn’t easy the good news is that help is at hand.