Pharmacies encourage everyone to look after your mental health

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are providing advice and support to help people look after their mental health in a new campaign. Running throughout February and March, the “Look after your mental health” campaign is part of the Living Well initiative, a partnership between the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI) and the Department of Health (DoH), providing public health advice in over 500 pharmacies. The campaign highlights the importance of small daily actions to benefit your mental health and wellbeing, being aware of any signs of problems, and using self

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  • PHA launch competition to mark World Immunisation Week 2025. To mark this year’s World Immunisation Week the Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a digital creator and poster competition.

     

     

  • The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of selected surveillance metrics in the form of a situational awareness summary. Horizon scanning provides information on emerging situations that can impact public health including local, national and global events.

  • The PHA has integrated influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 reporting into a weekly report to provide a single overview of the epidemiology of these infections in Northern Ireland, along with the number of respiratory care home outbreaks, hospital admissions and occupancy, and deaths.

Look after your mental health

PHA draft corporate plan: stakeholder online consultation event

During the live 12 week consultation period for the Public Health Agency (PHA) Draft Corporate Plan 2025-2030 and following on from two successful in-person collaboration events, we are holding one further online session for those who have been unable to attend but would like to participate. Details of the online stakeholder consultation event is as follows: Date: Thursday 06 February 2025 Time: 12.30pm to 2.00pm Venue: Online – link will be issued to those registered in due course This draft Plan sets out the strategic direction for the PHA for the next five years in terms of what we will do

Public health advice ahead of Storm Éowyn

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising people to look after themselves and others following the red and amber weather warnings issued ahead of Storm Éowyn . A red weather warning means there is a risk to life and as such the public should stay and home and not travel during this time. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “With Storm Éowyn set to bring extremely strong winds, a drop in temperature and potential disruption, it’s important to plan ahead to try to reduce its impact. “For some people the onset of cold and windy weather can bring particular hazards. For

“If it wasn’t for screening, I probably wouldn’t be here today” – Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (21–28 January), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding women of the importance of attending for cervical screening when invited. Katrina Jones from Belfast went for her routine cervical smear test in 2022 and after further investigations, found out she had cervical cancer. Katrina said: “I just went for a routine smear test and didn’t think anything of it. They called me back and I then had a biopsy. I could actually tell by the look on their faces that I had cancer. “I was expecting to be told I had cancer but thought I’d maybe have a few little

Promoting equality and inclusion: the HSC regional LGBTQ+ staff forum

What is HSC regional LGBTQ+ staff forum? A confidential Forum to provide a safe and welcoming space for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people working within health and social care, create an inclusive environment, and improve wellbeing. The Public Health Agency is committed to promoting health and reducing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The Agency also recognises the central contribution that staff makes to the fabric of our health and social care services. With approximately 66,000 staff employed across all HSC settings, based on population estimates of Lesbian, Gay

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Raising awareness of living kidney donation during Living Donation Week

About the Public Health Agency

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary organisation dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the population. As part of the health and social care family, we work closely with the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) of the Department of Health (DoH), local Health Trusts (HSC Trusts), the Business Services Organisation (BSO) and the Patient Client Council (PCC), and other partners to drive meaningful change across Northern Ireland. 

Guided by our vision of a healthier Northern Ireland, our purpose is to protect and improve the health and social wellbeing of our population.  We are committed to reducing health inequalities through leadership, partnership, and evidence-based practice.

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Featured content

  • PHA launch competition to mark World Immunisation Week 2025. To mark this year’s World Immunisation Week the Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a digital creator and poster competition.

     

     

  • The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of selected surveillance metrics in the form of a situational awareness summary. Horizon scanning provides information on emerging situations that can impact public health including local, national and global events.

  • The PHA has integrated influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 reporting into a weekly report to provide a single overview of the epidemiology of these infections in Northern Ireland, along with the number of respiratory care home outbreaks, hospital admissions and occupancy, and deaths.

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How to make the most of your goals this year

This National Obesity Week [10 – 16 January], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting ways you can set realistic targets to help improve your health and wellbeing in 2025. Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA said: “Many of us end up making the same New Year’s resolution every year – to start eating better and exercise more – only to give up after a short time because our targets aren’t sustainable. “Setting targets is important, however it is also important to be realistic. A sure-fire way to give-up quickly is to make your goals unattainable or

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