Symposium showcases work of health protection

The health protection service of the Public Health Agency (PHA) plays a critical role in protecting the population from infection and environmental hazards. Yesterday they took the opportunity to share their learning at the Health Protection Symposium 2015 held at Lagan Valley Island with a wide range of Health and Social Care and other Statutory partners including local Councils.  

The health protection service protects the population from infection and environmental hazards through a range of functions including surveillance and monitoring; operational support and advice; education; training and research. It is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of doctors; nurses; emergency planners; and scientific, surveillance and administrative staff.

Dr Lorraine Doherty, Assistant Director of Public Health (Health Protection) at the PHA, said; “The symposium yesturday brought together health professionals from across Northern Ireland with a shared interest in health protection. We looked at how health protection has evolved since 2009 and reflected on the achievements we have made, along with some of the challenges we have faced including emerging infections such as Avian Flu and more predominantly Ebola, which has dominated much of our work over the last number of months. 

“We have had many successes too, such as the childhood flu vaccine programme for primary school children, which achieved a 79.4% uptake and the Rotavirus immunisation, which has seen a marked reduction in the prevalence of Rotavirus among babies.

“The symposium also gave delegates the opportunity to find out more on the key areas of health protection, such as the function of the PHA duty room, where the health protection team coordinates its acute response from. It is the first point of contact for health professionals and other agencies regarding all health protection incidents and queries. It plays a vital role in the management of infectious diseases and outbreak situations, such as the E.coli outbreak in 2012.

“The syndromic surveillance function also plays a vital role in protecting public health by collecting, analysing and interpreting data.Yesterday, they too were able to showcase the work they do in providing an early warning of public health threats which require action.

“This event has shown that the health protection service plays an essential role and looking to the future it will continue to protect public health while adapting to suit the changing demands it faces.”

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