The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to take simple steps to reduce their chances of having a stroke, ahead of World Stroke Day on 29 October. A stroke can strike at any time, and everyone can reduce their risk of stroke and think FAST if they see the symptoms. Top tips:

Issued on behalf of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care. Public information website on palliative care launched. It’s time to take the scare out of palliative care – that’s the message this week as a Northern Ireland wide public information campaign gets underway. Palliative Care Week is highlighting that a palliative care approach improves quality of life for different people in many different care settings – the home, in a nursing home, in a hospital, or in hospice.

Members of the clergy and those who work in churches in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to take up training opportunities in faith and mental health and pastoral support. The partnership group Flourish! is hosting training sessions to promote mental and emotional wellbeing which will take place in November and January. Flourish! is a partnership between Lighthouse Ireland, the Churches’ Community Work Alliance (Northern Ireland) and clergy from across the Christian churches in Northern Ireland.

The Lifeline crisis response service is highly valued by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and is a key priority as it provides essential support to people at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

Good hand hygiene will help reduce the risk of spreading winter viruses so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people of the importance of washing their hands on Global Handwashing Day 2015 (15 October). The theme of the day is “Raise a Hand for Hygiene” encouraging people to become hand hygiene champions and encouraging those around us to also wash their hands.

Scientific and medical personnel from the pharmaceutical industry, academia and health gathered in Belfast on Wednesday 7 and 8 October for the 2015 Northern Ireland Clinical Innovation Conference, an event focused on improving collaborative efforts to accelerate adoption of innovation in the healthcare system.