With skin cancer on the rise, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have taken their message to the people who deal directly with our skin by holding workshops for beauty therapy tutors. The PHA and Cancer Focus NI have held a series of workshops for beauty therapy tutors in further education colleges across Northern Ireland with the aim of improving their knowledge and skills in the causes, prevention and early detection of skin cancer.

A report which aims to help save children’s lives by highlighting the dangers of looped blind cords and chains is to be released today (July 9).

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.”