How we are organised
The PHA is a multidisciplinary and multi-professional organisation with a regional and local presence across Northern Ireland.
Our directorates work together to deliver our purpose to protect and improve the health and social wellbeing of our population and reduce health inequalities through leadership, partnership, and evidence-based practice.
Public Health Services
The Public Health Services Directorate brings together public health expertise and services that protect people from threats to health and support the delivery of safe, effective and equitable health and social care.
Its work includes
- health protection,
- vaccination and immunisation,
- screening,
- surveillance and responding to infectious disease, environmental hazards and other public health incidents
- quality and safety
- professional leadership and advice.
The directorate also contributes professional public health expertise to the planning, commissioning, development and quality improvement of health and social care services.
Protecting the population from serious health threats is one of the PHA's four strategic themes for 2025-2030.
Population Health and Wellbeing
The Population Health and Wellbeing Directorate works to improve health and wellbeing, prevent ill health and reduce health inequalities throughout people's lives.
Its work includes
- nursing,
- midwifery and allied health professions
- health improvement,
- prevention and early intervention
- safety and quality.
The directorate works with individuals, families, communities and partner organisations to address the factors that influence health and create opportunities for better health and wellbeing.
This work contributes across the PHA's life stage priorities of Starting Well, Living Well, Ageing Well, Protecting our Health.
Population Data and Intelligence
The Population Data and Intelligence Directorate provides the data, research, evidence and intelligence needed to understand and improve the health of the population.
Its work includes health intelligence, statistics, research and development.
The directorate supports the collection, analysis and interpretation of information to understand population health and health inequalities, identify the needs and trends, and inform public health policy, planning and services.
Research and evidence are central to PHA's work. The Corporate Plan commits the organisation to developing its data sources and analytical capability and using evidence to inform both PHA action and the work of its partners.
Finance and Corporate Services
The Finance and Corporate Services Directorate supports the effective management and governance of the PHA and the resources needed to deliver its work.
Its responsibilities include finance, corporate planning, governance, performance management and other corporate functions.
The directorate helps ensure that public resources are managed responsibly, appropriate governance arrangements are in place and the organisation can plan, monitor and deliver its priorities effectively.
Strong governance, accountability, planning and effective use of public resources are important parts of how the PHA intends to deliver the Corporate Plan.
Chief Executive's Office
The Chief Executive's Office supports the leadership, governance and strategic direction of the PHA and works across the organisation to support delivery of its priorities.
It includes the PHA's Communications function, covering corporate and public affairs, digital communications, public information campaigns, publications and media communications.
The office supports communication and engagement with the public, staff, partners and stakeholders and helps ensure people can access clear and trusted public health information.
Working together
Our directorates work together, bringing expertise from across the PHA to protect and improve public health.
The Corporate Plan identifies people, partnership, process, digital and research and evidence as important to how the PHA works. It also emphasises collaboration with communities, service users and carers, partners across Health and Social Care, government, local government, community and voluntary organisations and other sectors.
This multidisciplinary approach supports the PHA's work to protect and improve health and wellbeing, reduce health inequalities and respond to the changing public health needs of people in Northern Ireland.
Together, our directorates support the PHA's vision of a healthier Northern Ireland.
Read the PHA Corporate Plan
The PHA Corporate Plan 2025-2030 - preventing, protecting, improving: better health for everyone, has now been published and is available in a number of formats. The Plan sets out the direction, strategic themes and priorities for the PHA..