The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to keep an eye on their alcohol intake ahead of St Patrick’s Day, emphasising the dangers of binge drinking and the effects that excess alcohol can have on your health and your safety.

A stunning exhibition of contemporary artwork by older people opened this week at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. ‘In Full Bloom’ showcases art by older people from throughout Northern Ireland who have had the opportunity to explore and experiment with different art forms as part of the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Arts Care ‘Here and Now’ festival of arts for older people. The festival aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of older people by supporting them to access and participate in high quality arts activity.

Patient involvement is set to improve in the health service with the creation of new standards which will oversee the input the public have into their care. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has for the first time established a set of standards for engagement between people working within Health and Social Care (HSC) and service users, carers and members of the public. The five standards of Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) support the key principle of people being involved and consulted on decisions which affect their health and social care. The five standards are:

March is here and it is the start of lambing season; however the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding pregnant women about the risk of close contact with sheep during lambing season.

Increasing awareness of neurological conditions is at the centre of a new programme designed to improve the care of patients. The Public Health Agency (PHA) and experts in the field within Health and Social Care (HSC) have developed the programme alongside service users and carers affected by neurological conditions. The training is for those who provide services to people impacted by the disorders to improve their knowledge and understanding of the complex issues.