Swine flu activity has decreased further

The Public Health Agency (PHA), Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) hosted a further briefing today to outline the current position on flu and seasonal winter pressures. The PHA flu bulletin for the period 15-21 January 2011 shows that new flu cases and GP consultation rates continue to decrease. There were only 41 new laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu in Northern Ireland last week compared to 86 in the second week of January 2011.

Public Health Agency welcomes child development report

The Public Health Agency (PHA) today welcomed the publication of the Early Intervention: The Next Steps report. The report, by MP Graham Allen, aims to inform the government on how best to achieve the most effective approaches to early years development, particularly for children aged 0–3 years. It was requested by Prime Minister David Cameron in July 2010 and is the first of two to be published.

Sign up and save lives

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donation Register this Saturday 22 January in Castle Court shopping centre in Belfast. In Northern Ireland, over 300 people are waiting for organ donation. The PHA is supporting the appeal by the Transplant Forum and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBTS) authority for people to join the Organ Donation Register. In the UK, 3,706 transplants were carried out in the year 2009/10, the highest ever number thanks to the kindness of both deceased and living donors.

Healthy child, healthy future: speech and language therapy for children

This resource is designed to reinforce a collaborative approach between speech and language therapists, referrers and parents in the identification and management of children with developmental speech and language and communication needs (including children with feeding and/or swallowing difficulties).

School food: top marks - A summary report on food in schools research in Northern Ireland

This report highlights the barriers that schools in Northern Ireland have experienced in implementing
nutritional standards. In particular, it identifies the potential adverse impact that external sources
of food may have on pupils’ healthy eating practices within the school setting. It also illustrates
how the accessibility of food and drinks contradicting the standards, within the school, may limit
the success of the standards. This report further emphasises how practical constraints within the

Get Healthwise this new year!

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people with specific health conditions to join the Healthwise scheme – a free 12 week physical activity programme to get their new year off to a healthy start. The scheme is available at registered leisure centres and Healthy Living Centres (HLCs) within the Belfast and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust areas and is for people with certain health conditions who have been referred by their GP, nurse or other health professionals.The scheme is suitable for those with:• high blood pressure;

Public Health Agency confirms death of a 10 month old baby from swine flu

The Public Health Agency has confirmed that a 10 month old baby boy from Northern Ireland has died in intensive care from swine flu. The baby had an underlying medical condition. The family has asked for privacy and for the media not to approach them for further information. Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health said: "This is a very sad and distressing time for the family affected and I would like to offer them my sincere condolences."
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