As university and third-level students start a new term, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding them of the dangers of mixing alcohol and drugs. Most fatal overdoses involve the use of more than one type of drug, and any combination of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, illicit drugs and alcohol can be dangerous. Kevin Bailey, Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “It’s easy to forget that alcohol itself is a powerful drug and mixing any drugs, including prescription medications and alcohol, can be unpredictable and unsafe. “Those returning to university or

The winter vaccination programme, which includes the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine, is now available to care home residents and staff. The vaccines help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, while the flu vaccine is needed every year as the antibodies that protect you from flu decline over time, and flu strains change from year to year. The Public Health Agency (PHA) announced at the beginning of September the plans for this year’s winter vaccination campaign, which will see flu and COVID-19 vaccines offered to over 1 million people in Northern Ireland

Today (Monday 26 September) marks the start of Organ Donation Week, a national celebration of organ and tissue donation and transplantation which saves and transforms hundreds of lives each year. During Organ Donation Week, the Public Health Agency is urging people to register their donation decision and talk to their families about organ donation as more than 6,500 people are actively waiting for a transplant across the UK, 144 of those in Northern Ireland. Last year, 100 people in Northern Ireland waiting for an organ transplant had their lives saved by the generosity of deceased organ

This National Eye Health Week (20 th to 27 th September), Health Minister Robin Swann has lent his support to a nationwide awareness campaign called #EyeCareWeCare, aimed at highlighting the importance of eye health to avoid preventable sight loss. One in five people will experience sight loss in their lives, but over 50 per cent of sight loss is avoidable. The #EyeCareWeCare campaign was officially launched during an awareness raising event held in Belfast’s Castle Court shopping centre on Thursday, 22 nd September. The campaign is being led by RNIB, the Department of Health, the Public

A new campaign has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer to help with early diagnosis. ‘Spot Cancer Early’ is running in community pharmacies as part of the Living Well service. It highlights the role of pharmacy teams in providing advice and support, and encourages people who may be experiencing possible cancer symptoms to talk to their GP. Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland and provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public

This week marks Falls Prevention Awareness Week and the Public Health Agency (PHA), in partnership with local councils, is encouraging everyone to take measures to reduce their risk of falls at home. In 2020 there were 251 falls deaths out of a total of 349 accidental deaths in those aged 65+ representing 72% of accidental (unintentional injury) deaths in that age group * in Northern Ireland. “Falls can have huge consequences,” said Janine Gaston, Interim Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA. “They can result in pain, injury and sometimes death. It is really important

Lifeline – regional crisis counselling helpline is available day and night, every day of the year. As we approach World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday 10 September, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people that Northern Ireland’s crisis counselling helpline, is available for everyone, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. The trained counsellors at the Lifeline helpline support people experiencing thoughts of suicide, those with high levels of anxiety and those needing support with feelings of low mood and depression. John Hand, Lifeline Service Manager, said: “We want people to

A planned and targeted winter vaccination campaign to help protect those most at risk from respiratory illnesses has been launched by the Public Health Agency (PHA). The campaign, which is due to commence on 19 September, will see flu and COVID-19 vaccines offered to over 1 million people in Northern Ireland within eligible groups over coming months. Dr Jillian Johnston, Interim Assistant Director in Health Protection at the PHA, is urging everyone who falls into an eligible group to get ready for winter by taking up the offer of free vaccination when invited. “We are all aware of the dangers

Today [Tuesday 6 September] marks the launch of this year’s Health and Social Care (HSC) mental health and emotional wellbeing campaign. The campaign’s theme is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’, emphasising the importance of one of the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing – to Connect. Over the next five weeks, linking World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday 10 September through to World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the six Health and Social Care Trusts will promote resources, ideas and events aimed at communities, voluntary groups, families and individuals, about ways