Influenza Weekly Surveillance Bulletin, Northern Ireland, Weeks 45 and 46 (7 -20 November 2011)

The Influenza Weekly Surveillance Bulletin is produced by the PHA and covers statistics for Northern Ireland. The bulletin is produced during the flu season

Community support for drug and alcohol issues - ‘Who are you going to call?’

Over 100 delegates from the community and voluntary sectors learned about the services and support available to tackle drug and alcohol issues in the Northern area following a key drug and alcohol networking event, funded by the Public Health Agency. Twenty-five organisations highlighted and promoted their work and services, available within the Northern area, to reduce drug and alcohol related harm at the recent event which was hosted by the Voluntary Community Sector Network (VCSN), a network subgroup the Northern Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination Team (NDACT).

£89K in small grants to tackle drug and alcohol issues

The Public Health Agency (PHA) recently issued over £89,000 in small grants to community and voluntary organisations in the Northern area to tackle drug and alcohol issues. The funding will be used to help local people make healthier choices; to support a range of services and to tackle the effect of parental substance misuse on families and children, referred to as ‘hidden harm’.

S.aureus bacteraemia surveillance quarterly report: July - September 2011

This quarterly report provides epidemiological data on S. aureus in Northern Ireland, including overall infection figures as well as those specific to MRSA and MSSA. The report highlights key points, rates, trends and statistical process control charts. The report also provides information on surveillance methods and data for each hospital and Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland

C. difficile surveillance quarterly report: July - September 2011

This quarterly report provides epidemiological data on C. difficile in Northern Ireland, and includes key points, a comprehensive overview of all C. diff infections, rates, trends, age-specific information and statistical process control charts. The report also provides information on surveillance methods and data for each hospital and Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.

Obesity – an acknowledged public health challenge

As we face a difficult economic climate, in which inequalities may worsen, the PHA faces many challenges in its efforts to improve the health of the population. One such challenge is the issue of obesity. Recently, in the Draft Programme for Government and, again today, in anticipation of the publication of the Consultation on the Review of Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland, the specific issue of obesity has been highlighted in the media.

Advice and support for those bereaved by suicide, at Foyle Film Festival

As part of International Suicide Survivors Day (19 November) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Foyle Film Festival are inviting anyone bereaved or affected by suicide to a panel discussion, for advice and support, at 7:15pm, 24 November, in the Nerve Centre, Magazine Street, Derry. An audience discussion will follow the screening of the ‘International Survivors of Suicide Day’ film, one of 250 showings throughout the world, on six continents, to mark International Suicide Survivors Day.
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