With many families taking day trips over the summer holidays, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the importance of washing their hands when visiting farms and urging people to not rely on using hand wipes and antibacterial gel alone. Dr Lourda Geoghegan, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Open farms can be great fun for the family but it’s important to be safe when getting close to animals in the farmyard or field.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has commended GRAHAM-Bam Healthcare Partnership, contractors on the new construction phase of the Ulster Hospital, for promoting the ‘Workplace 28 Day Stop Smoking Challenge’ through their health and wellbeing initiatives, and congratulated more than 30 staff who took part.

The Belfast Strategic Partnership (BSP) Active Belfast team has awarded nearly half a million pounds to local community projects to address health inequalities. Programmes in physical activity and nutrition will benefit from the funding boost, including Active Belfast’s successful ‘Jog Belfast’ scheme, which to date has had more than 2,000 participants get active.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today publishing the findings of a study into the aftercare received by those who attended hospital after self-harming. The report, which concentrates on the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) area, has been compiled by the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) in collaboration with the PHA.

With a spell of good weather expected, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are offering advice on how to cope during the heatwave. Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, explained: “Being active and having fun outside is good for our health, but the sun can cause permanent damage to our skin. Just one episode of sunburn, especially in childhood, doubles the lifetime risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.”

The CLEAR Project have announced the opening of a small grant scheme on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA) for projects/initiatives which address Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing, Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm. The CLEAR Project, which is part of Derry Healthy Cities, has been commissioned to facilitate this process in the Western, Southern, South Eastern and Belfast LCG areas. The small grants scheme provides the community and voluntary sector with the opportunity to access small, non-recurring grants.

The Health Minister, Simon Hamilton, today welcomed the findings of an audit report which examines the quality of dementia care in hospitals from the patient’s admission to discharge. Minister Hamilton said: “Dementia has a huge impact on families and on society as a whole and there are currently 20,000 people living with dementia in Northern Ireland. The recommendations from this audit highlight the importance of understanding the care needs of patients with dementia when they are admitted to an acute hospital ward.