A campaign encouraging people to use antibiotics correctly is to be introduced into Northern Ireland. The Public Health Agency (PHA) will be running the mass media campaign ‘Keep Antibiotics Working’ from 24 December until the middle of February. The campaign aims to raise public awareness about the risks of antibiotic resistance and urges people to take their doctor’s advice about antibiotics. Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Research has shown that a continued rise in antibiotic resistance would, by 2050, lead to 10 million people dying every year as a

As Christmas approaches, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to use the festive period to connect with family and use this time as an opportunity to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Brendan Bonner, Assistant Director for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at the PHA, said: “ Many of us will be looking forward to Christmas when we can spend more time with our family and friends. It’s also an opportunity to take stock and look at how we may be able to do things differently to help improve our health and wellbeing. “If you’re going to visit family, try to get

Christmas is a special time for family and friends. Here are some tips to help those with dementia and their carers have a great time at Christmas. In the lead up to the Christmas period, involve your loved one who has dementia: Discuss with them what they would like to do over the Christmas period, such as whether they want to visit friends or would they like friends to visit them in their own home. If family and friends cannot come home for Christmas, consider setting up video calls, as this is a fabulous way of people keeping in touch. Involve them in putting up the Christmas tree and

As Christmas approaches, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning parents and guardians of the danger of lithium button cell batteries. Button cell batteries are used to power many children’s toys, but are highly dangerous if accidentally swallowed. The festive period can typically see a rise in the number of these small, button-shaped batteries introduced to the home as they are contained in toys, musical Christmas cards, remote controls and a host of other electronic items. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “Young children are naturally

The PHA is undertaking a number of stakeholder engagement events across Northern Ireland in the coming weeks. The purpose of this engagement is to gather a wide range of views that will help to shape future services commissioned to reduce inequalities and promote the health and social, mental and emotional wellbeing improvement of minority ethnic and migrant communities. As part of this process an online survey has been developed and we would appreciate your support in completing this survey. www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JSQDMH7