BDAWG Scoping Report: Drugs and alcohol services in Belfast

Mary Black, Assistant Director for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement in the Public Health Agency, established the Belfast Drug and Alcohol Working Group in early 2010 to undertake a scoping exercise of drugs and alcohol services in Belfast, and to produce a report outlining their findings and making some recommendations as to how services could be better promoted, targeted, co-ordinated and ultimately improved. 

Rabies – it can be a fatal bite

Rabies is a preventable disease, but it kills up to 55,000 people each year. Therefore on World Rabies Day, 28 September 2011, the Public Health Agency (PHA) wants to raise awareness and understanding about the importance of seeking medical advice on whether the country or countries people are visiting require vaccination against this serious disease.

Sign up and save lives at Freshers’ Fair

Despite over 500,000 people signing up throughout Northern Ireland to the NHS Organ Donor Register, there are still not enough organs available for transplant. With this in mind the Public Health Agency (PHA) will be hosting a stand at Queen’s University Freshers’ Fair on 28 September to increase awareness of this important issue and to help improve rates of organ donation in Northern Ireland.

For your heart’s sake stop smoking

On World Heart Day, 29 September 2011, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all smokers to stop smoking and reduce their risk of developing heart disease (cardiovascular disease – CVD) or suffering a stroke or a heart attack. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and illness in the UK. Research shows that smoking is one of the main contributors of the disease, causing around 25,000 deaths a year in the UK.

PHA small grants to improve health and social wellbeing: now open - southern area

Community and voluntary sector organisations in the Southern area are invited to apply for Public Health Agency (PHA)/Investing for Health small grants to improve health and social wellbeing and reduce inequalities in health. The closing date for the scheme is 7 October 2011. Two small grants are available. The first, up to £1,000, is for work in:

It all adds up! - plan kids 60 minutes of activity

More than three quarters of 9–11 year olds (76%) in Northern Ireland don’t take part in the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity they need each day, therefore the Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched the next phase of its physical activity campaign ‘It all adds up!’ to encourage children to become more active and understand the importance of keeping fit, in a fun and exciting way.

Substance Misuse Among People Over 55 - Perspectives from the Community and Voluntary sector in Belfast

The Belfast Health Development Unit (BHDU) was established as a Ministerial priority in March 2010, co-locating staff from The Public Health Agency (PHA), Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) and Belfast City Council (BCC). One of the strategic priorities for the BHDU is: an integrated approach to planning and delivery of services for older people in the city.

Meninigitis - knowing the symptoms can save lives

Meningitis is potentially a life-threatening disease, therefore during Meningitis Awareness Week (19–25 September 2011), the Public Health Agency (PHA) wants to raise awareness in the community and across all age ranges about the signs and symptoms of this serious disease. Teenagers and young adults (14–24 years old) are one of the most at-risk groups. As a result, all young people in this age group, particularly those just returning to universities, should be aware of the disease and should also watch out for the signs and symptoms in their friends.
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