Breast screening goes mobile

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is launching seven new mobile breast screening units, the arrival of which marks the start of a new era for breast screening in Northern Ireland. They will be located across Northern Ireland and are fitted with the latest screening technology within a welcoming environment which will improve the overall breast screening experience for women.

I can Cook it! Fun, fast food for less: community nutrition education programme - accessible version

This training manual was developed  to support I can Cook it! tutors delivering the I can Cook it! training  programme. The manual contains information needed to deliver I can Cook it! programmes in the community, including background information on healthy eating, information about dealing with special dietary requirements, session outlines, resources for photocopying and 24 easy recipes for snacks and meals.

This training manual was developed to support I can Cook it! facilitators delivering the I can Cook it! training programme to people with learning disabilities and has been updated with information on the Eatwell Guide.

The manual contains information needed to deliver I can Cook it! programmes in the community, including background information on healthy eating, information about dealing with special dietary requirements, session outlines, resources for photocopying and 24 easy recipes for snacks and meals.

Get moving with a work out at work

Too much time sitting can be bad for your health and many of us spend a lot of our work hours at a desk, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to get up and get more active throughout the day. Over three out of five of us are spending three or more hours in a sedentary position on weekdays, but with a few simple steps you can build moderate activity into your working day and reduce the amount of time sitting while still getting on with the job.

Public Health Agency issues synthetic cannabinoids warning

The Public Health Agency’s (PHA’s) Drug and Alcohol Monitoring and Information System (DAMIS) has been receiving reports of people across Northern Ireland experiencing unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects after smoking synthetic cannabinoids, with a number of users having been hospitalised.The PHA is using its early warning system to raise awareness of the risks of this specific group of new emerging substances and is urging those who feel unwell after taking these drugs to seek medical help urgently.

Nursery rhymes key to language development

An innovative learning programme is teaching parents that nursery rhymes aren’t just fun to sing with children but also have a positive impact on improving language skills. Developed by speech and language therapists in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), the ‘2 Rhymes by 2’ project aims to encourage parents and carers to use rhymes like ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’ and ‘Round and Round the Garden’ as a way of interacting with their children to develop language skills.

Artwork of older people in the frame at gala exhibition

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Arts Care are launching an exhibition of arts and craft by older people as part of the third Here and Now Older People’s Arts and Wellbeing Festival. The gala showpiece, ‘RIPE 2’ exhibition at the Ulster Hall, Belfast features artwork by older people over the age of 60 who have never had a solo exhibition. The Here & Now Arts & Wellbeing Festival aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of older people by involving them in a wide range of high quality arts programmes in health and social care and community settings.

Have your say on Health and Social Care (HSC) priorities for the coming year

Register for our engagement workshop on 1 May The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are currently working on the development of the Commissioning Plan for 2015-16. This plan sets out the key areas where money will be invested over the coming year. Service users, carers and members of the public, have already helped shape and inform six key themes (listed below) that will be the focus during 2015-16:

Age Appropriate Hearing Assessment Diagnostic Testing Guidance

Parental or professional concern regarding an infant/young child’s hearing may be identified at any time.  Where such concern is identified, direct referral should be made, irrespective of newborn hearing screening outcomes and with parental agreement. 

People invited to share experiences of palliative care

A public engagement programme is underway inviting patients, carers and families to share their experiences of care to help improve services for people with non-curable and serious illnesses. During the month of April the ‘Let’s Talk About’ care programme is calling on people across Northern Ireland to share their experiences by completing an open survey at www.caresurvey.org
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