Saturday 20 May is International Clinical Trials Day and the HSC R&D Division within the Public Health Agency (PHA) is using it to encourage patients, carers and the public to get involved in research and ask healthcare professionals if there is a study they might be suitable for. Dr Daniel Butler, a GP Research Fellow with the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network talks about why research relies on patients getting involved. “As a doctor in General Practice I get to see first-hand the difference new treatments can make to my patients. Clinical Trials are crucial to the development of a

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May) and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of what we can do when experiencing anxiety. Everyone can feel anxious from time to time and it is normal to feel anxiety in everyday situations, for example preparing for a job interview or at exam time. This anxiety can help improve our performance. However, for some, anxiety can begin to interfere with daily life and becomes intense. Fiona Teague, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead at the PHA, said: “We can experience different types of anxiety with the daily challenges we

Next week (15-19 May) is Walk to School Week and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to get more active by leaving the car at home and walking the school run. Statistics show that almost two thirds (65%) of primary school pupils are driven to or from school by car, while around a quarter – only 26% – walk. For post-primary, 35% of pupils are driven by car and just 16% walk. When compared with stats from 2013/14, car travel to and from primary school has increased by 6% ( 59% to 65%) and walking has decreased by 5% ( 31% to 26%). Colette Brolly, the PHA lead on physical

During Dying Matters Awareness Week (8-14 May) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Department of Health (DoH) are urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly about their wishes regarding their future care, dying, death and bereavement. This year’s theme is ‘Dying Matters at work’ and Sally Convery, Nurse Consultant for Palliative Care at the PHA, is encouraging everyone, including workplaces to talk to each other about dying, death and bereavement. “Many of us have specific wishes about how and where we would like to die and what we would like to happen after our death. However

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the need to clean your hands thoroughly and regularly on days out with the family. The call comes on the World Health Organization’s World Hand Hygiene Day [5 May], which this year highlights how important hand hygiene is in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alison Griffiths, Nurse Consultant Health Protection at the PHA, said: “The summer months are a great time for day trips, but we want people to have pleasant memories, so by following a few simple hygiene tips, you can have a fantastic time and stay well. “Open farms and swimming

This Sun Awareness Week (1-7 May), the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging everyone to be UV aware and to follow our top tips on getting the best from your sunscreen and reducing your risk of skin cancer. This year’s campaign focus will be on the need for sun protection in the UK climate, aiming to tackle misconceptions that sun protection is rarely needed here. The Solar UV Index shows how much solar radiation is reaching us from the sun and how careful we need to be. Ultraviolet (UV) levels vary with the seasons and time of day, but when the UV index

The BSO and nine partner HSC organisations are currently consulting on their draft Equality and Disability Action Plans 2023-2028. As part of the consultation we will be holding two consultation events on the following dates: Thursday 25 May 2023 – 11.00am -12.00pm Tuesday 20 June 2023 – 2.30pm -3.30pm The purpose of the events is to provide an opportunity for you to tell us what you think about the action plans and for us to listen to your views. The consultation events will be held online via Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in attending the events, please contact us to register by 12

With about 1 in 20 people developing bowel cancer in their lifetime, t he Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting how being alert to the possible symptoms and taking part in screening could help save your life. April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and the PHA said that b owel cancer is the third most common cancer identified in both men and women and is also the second most common cause of cancer death among people in Northern Ireland. Bowel cancer screening is offered to everyone in Northern Ireland aged 60–74 and is aimed at people who do not have any symptoms. Those eligible will