Make your home safe during Child Safety Week

Accidents are the main cause of death for children post-infancy, with many occurring in the home. During Child Safety Week (6- 12 June) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting steps to make your home as safe as possible. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “None of us wants to think about anything bad happening to our children, so it is important that we don’t ignore the risks but take steps to reduce the likelihood of children having an accident around the home.

Two thirds of Palliative Care users say ‘Planning for the Future’ their biggest worry

Survey highlights need for more talk about palliative care More than two thirds (68%) of people with palliative care needs have said that ‘planning for the future’ is their biggest worry – in a survey of palliative care experiences across the island of Ireland. Half of palliative care users (52%) said they felt frustrated or helpless. 51% said their emotional and psychological needs were not met and 42% wanted better co-ordination of care or treatment.

Director of Public Health Report 2015

The seventh Director of Public Health Annual Report, launched on 8 June 2016, focuses on demonstrating the economic worth of public health interventions. The report examines a number of interventions and programmes that are currently being funded by the Public Health Agency across each of the three public health domains - health improvement, service development/screening and health protection - and highlights their economic value in order to set out the case for a preventive public health approach.

The seventh Director of Public Health (DPH) Annual Report, launched on 8 June 2016, focuses on demonstrating the economic worth of public health interventions.

Step up to better health with new campaign

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling on people to quite literally take some simple steps to better health. With three out of five adults here overweight or obese, the agency’s new campaign is encouraging us to increase the amount of steps we take to improve our health and help manage our weight. The campaign, part of the Choose to Live Better programme, encourages people to measure how many steps they take, and then set personal goals to increase this number.

Folic acid and vitamin D guidelines for health professionals

Udated guidelines for health pofessionals on folic acid and vitamin D supplementation.

Folic acid and Vitamin D guidelines for health pofessionals.

Public Health Agency - 013

Submitted by Lynda Kernohan on

Name of Contract: Shared Reading Services in the Criminal Justice Setting

Organisation Awarded:  The Contract will be deliverd across Northern Ireland by The Reader

Contract Duration: 1 June 2016 - 31 May 2019 (with the option to extend for two periods of 12 months to 31 May 2021)

Step Challenge toolkit (leaders' guide, poster, certificate etc)

As part of a Choose to Live Better campaign to encourage people to be more active, this toolkit provides resources for group leaders to organise a Step Challenge. One aspect of the campaign encourages people to monitor the number of steps they take each day and aim to increase it as an easy way of getting more active. A Step Challenge helps people achieve this through working together in a group to support and motivate one another. Groups might be run by a local community or voluntary organisation, in the workplace, or simply among friends and family.

Take the next step

This A5 booklet encourages people to increase their level of physical activity by monitoring the number of steps they take each day and aiming to increase it.

Be a hero, be an organ donor!

When Erin Bonar from Ballycarry sadly passed away at the age of five in March last year, her mum Susan and dad Karl agreed to donate their beautiful, little girl’s organs. Erin helped save and transform the lives of three young children and an adult. Talking about her family’s experience, Susan explains why she is encouraging others to speak up and discuss their wishes early with their loved ones.

Good hygiene is important for a fun day out with all the family

With the better weather, many families will be planning day trips over the coming weeks, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the importance of personal hygiene when visiting farms and swimming pools. Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Summer is a great time for day trips, but we want people to have pleasant memories, so by following a few simple hygiene tips, you can have a fantastic time and stay well.
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