PHA urges everyone to get behind National Transplant Awareness Week… Pass it on!

The PHA is urging everyone in Northern Ireland to join forces to support National Transplant Awareness Week, which runs from 9-15 July. The theme for this year’s National Transplant Awareness Week is ‘Pass it On’, which is about encouraging others to sign the Register and most importantly expressing their wishes to family and friends. Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency and Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee for Organ Donation, said: “I have signed the NHS Organ Donor Register, and told my friends and families… have you?”

Sports stars tackle men's reluctance to seek help with new campaign

Leading sports personalities are asking men facing problems to seek immediate help and support by ringing Lifeline 0808 808 8000, the regional crisis counselling helpline service. Heartfelt messages have been recorded by football, Gaelic football and rugby stars as part of a new radio advertising campaign aimed at men, as well as women who have an influence in their lives.

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.
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