The Public Health Agency plays a key role in supporting whole-system winter preparedness through leadership in health protection, health improvement, public health intelligence, vaccination programmes, communications and partnership working. As the regional public health organisation, the PHA supports the wider Health and Social Care (HSC) system through prevention and early intervention, helping to reduce avoidable illness, protect vulnerable populations and strengthen service resilience during periods of increased demand.

Developed in response to the Department of Health's Winter Surge Planning Guidance, this plan describes how the Agency will support the wider HSC response to winter pressures through targeted public health action and collaborative working with partners across the health and social care system.