Pupils make the grade thanks to learning boost

School pupils in the southern area are getting help from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) to help them improve their GCSE grades. Thanks to a partnership with the SELB and local councils, the PHA has funded English and Mathematics programmes. Over 85% of pupils in the participating schools who were expected to achieve Grade D and availed of the additional support attained grades A*-C in English or Mathematics.

Public health advice when water supply is low

The Public Health Agency has issued the following advice to the public in relation to keeping healthy when mains water is unavailable. How do I keep my hands clean without mains water?It is still very important to ensure that your hands are clean before cooking food and eating as many gastrointestinal illnesses are transmitted through dirty hands. The very young and the elderly are especially vulnerable. For this reason people should:

Look out for your neighbours during cold spell

With further wintery weather forecasts the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising everyone to look after themselves and their neighbours during the cold snap. Vulnerable and elderly people can find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated during the cold weather. The PHA is encouraging everyone to look out for those who may be more vulnerable during severe weather and check that they are ok. T he following advice can help you or a neighbour keep warm at home:

Hepatitis C - Clinician results factsheet

This factsheet provides information in the form of FAQs in relation to hepatitis C: the condition, risks, testing, treatment and management.

Hepatitis B - Quick reference guide for primary care

This factsheet provides information in the form of FAQs in relation to hepatitis B: the condition, prevalence, risks, testing, management, vaccination and treatment.

Clock ticking for £ for lb challenge

Thirty Northern Ireland companies have signed up for Business in the Community and Public Health Agency's £ for lb 12 week challenge, committing to help their employees to lose weight. Last year, over 800 people lost 1,390 inches from their waistlines. Comparatively, this was the same height of the Albert Clock. This year, this friendly challenge, which is being supported by the Public Health Agency and Westfield Health, will involve at least 1,000 employees from 30 companies, with employers and employees matching every pound lost with a charitable donation.

Strategy for personal and public involvement

Local and national policy increasingly emphasises the central role of service users and the public in shaping Health and Social Care (HSC).

This is the second edition of the HSC R&D Division’s Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) Strategy, which highlights the importance of involving patients and the public in research and outlines the progress already made in implementing PPI in research in Northern Ireland.

Stop smoking for good in 2015

As we progress through January, many people who quit smoking as a New Year’s Resolution may be finding it tough to stay off tobacco, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to make use of the support that is available to help make their decision permanent. Gerry Bleakney said: “We know that stopping smoking can be very difficult, but help is at hand.
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