New HIV cases at their lowest in ten years

The number of new HIV cases in Northern Ireland fell to 52 in 2019, the lowest number in ten years, according to a new report from Public Health Agency (PHA) published today. The report shows there were 52 new HIV diagnoses in 2019 compared with 80 in 2018, and a decline of 49% from a peak of 102 new cases in 2015. There were 27 new HIV diagnoses which occurred through heterosexual transmission, and 21 new cases amongst gay and bisexual men (GBM) in 2019. This is the first time in ten years that the heterosexual transmission rate was higher than in GBM, with HIV transmission in GBM having

COVID-19 testing essential in fight against virus spreading

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has urged people with symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested without delay over Christmas. Testing centres across Northern Ireland will remain open throughout the festive season and people can book appointments as normal. Contact tracing will also continue to operate during the holiday period, Testing remains the only way to know if you have COVID-19 and can help stop the spread of the virus and save lives. If you test positive, it enables you and your close contacts to be alerted to exposure to the virus, the need to self-isolate, and helps to stop the spread the

Multi-Agency Triage Team (MATT) digital promotional leaflet

The Multi-Agency Triage team (MATT) is a Crisis  De-escalation Service available for those experiencing an acute mental health crisis that are in contact with emergency services by phoning 999 or 101.

Don’t stockpile alcohol – it could store up health problems

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling on those who choose to drink alcohol this festive season to not stockpile alcohol as it could increase the risk of you drinking more that you normally would. Many of us over-indulge at Christmas but overdoing it with alcohol could seriously damage your health. Michael Owen, the PHA’s lead for Drugs and Alcohol, said: “Many of us like to have a drink at Christmas and we’re not saying people shouldn’t, but it’s important that we enjoy ourselves safely. “Many people do not realise that alcohol is a powerful drug and we need to be careful how we use it

Support available for schools over the Christmas period

The Public Health Agency (PHA) operates a dedicated COVID-19 education team to provide support on cases of COVID-19 that occur in a school setting. The team operates from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm during term time. Our dedicated education team will remain open until 4pm on 23 rd December. While schools are closed over the Christmas period and not directly providing contact tracing support in schools, the service provided by the education team will continue to be delivered through our Health Protection Duty Room or on call service and Contact

Newborn hearing screening discharge - Well baby protocol

This flowchart for healthcare professionals shows the protocol for discharging a well baby from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme in Northern Ireland.

Newborn hearing screening discharge protocol - babies in neonatal or special care baby units

This flowchart for healthcare professionals shows the protocol for discharging babies in neonatal or special care baby units from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme in Northern Ireland. There is also a flowchart for well babies.

Information for care homes

Information for care homes on foot health, swallowing, food care, hydration.

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