Increase in early detection of skin cancer in men

New statistics from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry show that there has been an increase in the number of men diagnosed with the most serious skin cancer, malignant melanoma. However, the good news is that more cases were detected early, when there is a greater likelihood of successful treatment. In 2015 there were 209 cases of malignant melanoma in males in Northern Ireland, which is higher than previous years.

Salt Awareness Week – check the labels

This Salt Awareness Week (20-26 March) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the dangers of eating too much salt and asking everyone to check food labels to see how much salt is in our food. Too much salt in our diet can contribute to high blood pressure – also known as hypertension – and increase the risk of stroke and heart disease, some of the leading causes of disability and death in Northern Ireland. Hypertension often has no symptoms, but if you have the condition, you are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.

Know your limits if drowning the shamrock this St Patrick’s Day

As people get ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging anyone who chooses to drink to keep an eye on their alcohol intake, emphasising the dangers of binge drinking and the effects that excess alcohol can have on our health and our safety. The PHA’s Drugs and Alcohol lead Michael Owen said: “A lot of people will be making plans to meet up with their friends and family tomorrow to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we are encouraging them to keep an eye on their alcohol intake should they choose to drink.

Make a Delirium Difference

To mark World Delirium Day (15 March), the HSC Safety Forum, part of the Public Health Agency (PHA), and Dementia Together NI, are urging everyone to ‘Make a Delirium Difference’ and recognise the signs and symptoms of delirium. Dr Gavin Lavery, Clinical Director of the HSC Safety Forum, said: “Delirium is caused by an acute disturbance of brain function which often produces a state of sudden confusion or changes in behaviour and awareness.

Avoiding work-related eye injuries – a factsheet for employers

This factsheet was developed by the PHA and Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland to accompany the Protect your eyes poster for employees. They both highlight the risk of eye injury in the workplace. The factsheet outlines the types of common work-related eye injuries and the steps employers can take to minimise risk, and it shows some types of protective eyewear available.

These publications have been distributed to employers in manufacturing, construction, agriculture and small business.

Protect your eyes

This poster has been developed by the PHA and Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland to highlight the risk of eye injury in the workplace. It outlines three simple steps employees can take to protect their sight and shows some types of appropriate protective eyewear.

A factsheet for employers on how they can avoid work-related eye injuries accompanies the poster and is available for download.

The poster will be translated into Polish, Lithuanian, Slovak, Portuguese and Romanian and will be available to download here later in the year.

S.aureus surveillance report quarter October-December 2016

S.aureus surveillance report quarter October-December 2016

C.difficile surveillance report quarter October-December 2016

C.difficle surveillance report quarter October-December 2016

No Smoking Day 2017

No Smoking Day 2017 resource.

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