PHA urges families to 'wash your hands after visiting the farm'

Now that schools are finished for the summer and parents are thinking of activities to keep their children entertained, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding families about the importance of washing hands after visiting the farm. All animals naturally carry a range of organisms, some of which can be transmitted to people. Some organisms which may be contracted on farms present a serious hazard and can potentially cause severe infection, particularly in young children.

Flood Guidance

Public Health Agency flood guidance. There are a few precautions to be aware of when dealing with flooding, which should help prevent additional health problems. This factsheet also includes a section answering frequently asked questions.

Local women celebrate Breastfeeding Week

As part of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (NBAW), the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Southern Office, hosted a breastfeeding coffee morning at Daisy Hill Hospital on Thursday 28 June to celebrate ‘Breastfeeding Peer Support’. Janet Calvert, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager and Lead for Breastfeeding with the PHA, said: “Breastfeeding gives a child the best possible start in life and babies have better protection against certain illnesses the longer breastfeeding continues.

Asbestos Incident at Bloomfield Collegiate, Belfast

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is working with the HSENI and Bloomfield Collegiate School in Belfast following findings of a survey by the school which indicated that damaged asbestos was present in parts of the former Preparatory Department building. This building is separate from the main school and includes two rooms which were rented out to a private day care nursery. The PHA understands that work carried out in the building in 2001 may have caused the damage to the insides of cupboards.

Transmit: Health protection service bulletin. 2012: Issue 2

This months Transmit is issued rather later than normal due to the exceptional workload during the Pseudomonas aeruginosa incidents in NNU. Much was learnt during this time and work continues to improve systems accordingly.

RQIA completed a review of the PA incidents and their final report is available at www.rqia.org.uk . One of the recommendations of the review was that the health protection service should issue a weekly bulletin.

Local women celebrate Breastfeeding Week

As part of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (NBAW), the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Southern Office, hosted a breastfeeding coffee morning at Craigavon Area Hospital, on Tuesday 26 June to celebrate ‘Breastfeeding Peer Support’. Janet Calvert, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager and Lead for Breastfeeding with the PHA, said: “Breastfeeding gives a child the best possible start in life and babies have better protection against certain illnesses the longer breastfeeding continues.

End of term... exams over? Talk to your child about alcohol

With the end of term approaching and exams nearing completion, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents to talk to their child about the risks associated with drinking alcohol. Thousands of students will complete their exams soon, so the PHA is advising parents to be aware of how their children plan to celebrate, stressing the dangers of underage drinking and the importance of sticking to the limits, for those who have reached the legal age to drink.

Breastfeeding Support CD launched by PHA

As part of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, the Public Health Agency (PHA) today [Tuesday 26 June] launched a new Breastfeeding Peer Support CD to train those who volunteer to help breastfeeding mums. As part of the event, which took place in Antrim, recently qualified volunteers will receive their certificates for completing the PHA regional breastfeeding peer support programme.

Meningococcal Infection – St Patrick’s Primary, Legamaddy

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is investigating a suspected case of meningococcal infection involving a child who attends St Patrick’s Primary school in Legamaddy, near Downpatrick. The PHA is working with the school to ensure all appropriate public health actions are taken. Letters and information leaflets about meningococcal infection are also being distributed to parents and staff at the school.
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