Newly revised Nutritional Standards have been announced today, applying to all facilities that serve food or beverages within Health and Social Care (HSC) settings in Northern Ireland. The aim is to create a healthier eating environment for staff and visitors, while setting an example for the wider public sector. The Standards were first introduced in 2017 and last updated in 2022. They have been jointly developed by the Public Health Agency (PHA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Safefood and Health and Social Care (HSC) to ensure healthier food is consistently available across hospital and

On Thursday 25 September, Translink hosted a Public Health Agency (PHA) event to mark Organ Donation Week 2025 – ‘The Grand Organ Donation Life Cycle’ event saw staff, commuters, and a wide range of participants from within the organ donation and transplantation ‘family’ take part in a virtual cycle to Dublin. Taking part in the impressive and bustling transport hub of Grand Central Station, the event raised vital awareness of the importance of organ donation and transplantation in saving and transforming lives. It was also an opportunity for those impacted by donation or transplantation to

Ahead of World Contraception Day (26 September), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the importance of contraception. With many free contraception options available across Northern Ireland, the PHA is encouraging people to visit its sexual health website at www.sexualhealthni.info to find out more about what might work for you and where you can access it. Frances Dowds, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “We want to support women to recognise that when it comes to contraception, it’s your body and your choice. The beliefs we hold on

As figures show that more than 12,000 people in the UK lost their lives waiting for a transplant in the past decade, the Public Health Agency is calling for everyone to register their organ donation decision and share it with loved ones. The figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant to mark Organ Donation Week show that in the last ten years, 4,900 people died while actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant, with 44 in Northern Ireland. Additionally, a further 7,700 were removed from the active list after being deemed too sick to receive a transplant, with many dying soon after. This

Ahead of Organ Donation Week which runs from 22-28 September, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging all Key Stage 3 and 4 teachers to download new free resources and deliver them during this important awareness week. The resources have been designed by teachers, for teachers through a PHA-chaired working group, also in association with NHS Blood and Transplant. The content provides an introduction to organ donation and transplantation, how donation works, discussion activities, and information on the recent change in law to an opt-out system. This is provided in an age-appropriate

As pupils return to school, The Daily Mile is back in action and Strandtown Primary School is leading the way! Pupils stepped outside for 15 minutes of fun, fresh air, and physical activity, joined by Parkrun world record holder Nick Griggs in celebration of the school’s commitment to daily movement. The Daily Mile is a simple yet powerful initiative that helps improve children’s physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Every day, pupils run, jog, wheel, or walk at their own pace for 15 minutes, covering roughly a mile – all while enjoying time with friends outdoors. Nick Griggs joined

The Public Health Agency acknowledges phenomenal and inspirational success of Team NI at the World Transplant Games. The Games represent the largest organ donor awareness event in the world with a week-long competition taking in 17 sporting disciplines. Team Northern Ireland, competing for the first time as a stand-alone country, joined 1,500 transplant athletes from 51 countries across the globe. Organised by the World Transplant Games Federation, the Games took place 17-24 August and exist to promote organ donation, encouraging recipients to improve their health and fitness around their

As part of the annual HSC mental health campaign, people are being encouraged to look after their mental health just as much as they would their physical health to help deal with life’s daily challenges. The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Health and Social Care (HSC) organisations have teamed up for this year’s campaign to encourage people to ’Look after your mental health”. Between World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September and World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the PHA, five local HSC Trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) are encouraging everyone to practise mental