Alcohol is a powerful drug and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone not to let drink ruin your Christmas and New Year celebrations. Stephanie Hanlon, Joint Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “All too often we see families affected by their loved ones over-indulging in alcohol, and that can be a particular problem at this time of year when many choose to drink alcohol as part of their festive celebrations. “Many people might use alcohol to relax but instead of helping us to cope, excess amounts can have both an immediate and long term negative impact on our lives

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is offering a free seasonal flu vaccine this winter to those at risk of exposure to avian (bird) flu. While the vaccine doesn't protect against bird flu, it can reduce the risk of a new flu virus forming which could happen if someone is exposed to flu and bird flu at the same time. In line with advice issued by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Department of Health policy, the flu vaccine is being offered to people who handle and work with poultry, including people processing poultry, egg sorting or who have direct exposure to

Ahead of the Christmas holidays, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding parents and carers of young babies of the importance of following safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. At this time of year, with festivities and celebrations, normal routines and sleeping arrangements for young babies may be changed. However, the safest place for your baby to sleep is in their own cot or moses basket, in the same room as you. Emily Roberts, Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children at the PHA, said: “It is really important to keep your baby’s sleep environment safe

The NBCP (National Bereavement Care Pathway) is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and is led by Sands. The vision of the project is to achieve equitable care for every bereaved parent and every family, every time there is a pregnancy loss, or the death of a baby. The project will create a set of five bereavement care pathways: Miscarriage including molar and ectopic pregnancy, termination of pregnancy for foetal anomaly (TOPFA), stillbirth, neonatal death, and sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) with the parent voice at the forefront of each. Throughout January 2025, the team will

The Public Health Agency is excited to announce the official relaunch of the Minding your head website https://www.mindingyourhead.info is a valuable informational resource created to provide up-to-date information and self-help advice for mental health and wellbeing. The website provides: clear, up-to-date information on mental health and wellbeing, including anxiety, low mood and depression, stress and more; clear information on how you can support someone with their mental health, including information on supporting children and young people; a service directory for people to find help with

With Christmas festivities under way and our minds turning to other things, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting potential dangers in your home and providing helpful tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Over the Christmas period many of us will spend more time at home, so we need to be aware of the risk of home accidents, with many of these being preventable. Each year there are approximately 14,000 admissions to hospital in Northern Ireland as a result of unintentional injuries. Diane McIntyre from the PHA said “Accidents often occur when we’re distracted and can happen

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has officially launched the early years obesity prevention programme, HENRY, to help support families to provide the best start in life for babies and children. The 8-week HENRY programme equips health visiting teams and Sure Start staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence to tackle sensitive issues including raising the issue of overweight and obesity. Trained facilitators across the five local health and social care trusts work with families over the course of 8-weeks either through group-based sessions or a targeted one-to-one programme. The focus of the

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to stay safe and not take risks with alcohol and other drugs over the festive party season. Most fatal overdoses involve the use of more than one type of drug, and any combination of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, illicit drugs or alcohol can be dangerous. The PHA strongly recommends that you do not take any drug unless it has been prescribed to you by a medical professional and in accordance with your prescription. Stephanie Hanlon, Joint Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “We know that some people

St Brigid’s Primary School in Downpatrick got into the festive spirit by taking part in the Daily Mile Santa Run, complete with Christmas jumpers. All schools in Northern Ireland were encouraged to take part in The Daily Mile Santa Run on Friday 6 th December. The Daily Mile can be done alongside the Active School Travel (AST) programme which is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department for Infrastructure, and delivered by Sustrans. Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “St Brigid’s Primary School really went all out for their