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| Archive February 2008 Click on the year for news from 2004 2005 2006 Eastern area home accident prevention workshop Health for Life pyhsical activity programme launches Guide to developing a smoke free policy available Smoking ban in all workplaces and enclosed public spaces Ministerial announcement on smoking ban imminent Health Minister urged to take heed of public opinion on smoking ban Investing for Health Conference 2005 Development of New Strategic Direction for Drugs and Alcohol in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland to decide to extent of smoking ban Health Impact Assessment of Belfast City's Draft Quality Action Plan Healthwise scheme getting patients active! Healthy Ageing event - working in partnership EHSSB Communicable Disease Updates now available online Healthy ageing: Interaction, towards an action plan Pen your support for Smoke free Workplaces Eastern area home accident prevention workshop The Eastern area Investing for Health team have established a community of interest around the objective of reducing accidental injury and death. A half day event has been organised to concentrate on home accidents and to identify gaps and explore action to address these gaps. The event will be held on Monday 5 December 2005, 9.30am -1.00pm at Belfast City Hall
If
you are interested in home accident prevention in the Eastern Health
and Social Services Board area and would like to contribute to this
workshop please contact Fionnuala Close at Belfast City Council
(028 9027
0422 or email turleya@belfastcity.gov.uk).
Health for Life physical activity programme launches Health for Life is a holistic health education programme that empowers individuals to make behavioural changes to improve their health status and reduce inequalities in health.
It consists of general health information, incorporating alcohol and drugs, cancer, nutrition, physical activity, smoking and stress, with an opportunity to learn simple relaxation techniques and enjoy a moving to music taster session.
The programme will be officially launched on Monday 28th November and will provide an opportunity to learn more about the background to the programme, the rationale for its creation and the benefits it offers to the public. For further details on Health for Life please contact Angela Crawley, EHSSB Physical Activity Project officer (028 9055 3663 or email acrawley@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk ).
Guide to developing a smoke free policy available The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Shaun Woodward, has announced that legislation to introduce a complete smoking ban in all enclosed public places and workplaces will come into effect on 1st April 2007.
The Health Promotion Agency has developed a guide to help workplaces develop a no smoking policy. If you would like a copy of the guide please call the smokers help line 0800 85 85 85 or contact the Communication Resource and Information Service (CRIS) on 9032 1313.
A
list of the smoking cessation services in the Eastern Board area
is available at www.ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk. If you would like someone
from your organisation to be trained to deliver a specialist stop
smoking service please contact Nicky McKee, Smoking Cessation Co-ordinator
on 9055 3963.
Smoking ban in all workplaces and enclosed public spaces After extensive consultation, Minister Shaun Woodward has announced a smoking ban is to be implemented in all Northern Ireland's workplaces and enclosed public spaces in April 2007.
Earlier this year, the Minister announced that he would at least go as far as partial controls. Given the overwhelming health arguments, the support of the public and his desire to protect workers from the killer effects of passive smoking,
the Minister has now opted to go for total controls.
Ministerial announcment on smoking ban imminent Earlier this summer the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Shaun Woodward, announced his intention to introduce at least a partial ban throughout Northern Ireland on where people smoke. The Minister will make the announcement of his final decision on this important public health issue on Monday 17 October 2005.
Ahead of the Minister's announcement next week, Smokefree Northern Ireland, a coalition of 41 statutory, private and voluntary organisations including the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, has stepped up its campaign demanding that all workers should be protected from the damaging effects of second-hand smoke.
Victoria Creasy, Senior Manager for Public Health at the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) said: The suggestion of a partial ban is completely unacceptable and would effectively treat many bar workers as second-class citizens. The health of bar workers is not an issue for compromise and a partial ban would actively discriminate against these workers by denying them the same health and safety protection as other employees working in the hospitality industry.
A
survey of 70 bars and restaurants around Belfast, conducted by the
Ulster Cancer Foundation in October 2004, revealed that of the 171
bar staff who responded to the survey, 74% including bar staff who
smoked, said they would like their workplace to be smokefree.
Health Minister advised to take heed of public opinion when making smoking ban decision
Smokefree Northern Ireland, a coalition of 41 statutory, private and voluntary organisations, including the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, is calling on the Minister for Health, Shaun Woodward, to take heed of public opinion and introduce a complete ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces.
The
results of the Government’s own consultation revealed that
91% of respondents opted for a total ban in all enclosed public
places and workplaces. The high level of support for a total
ban reflects the change in attitudes to smoking in Northern Ireland
and the decline in the number of people who smoke here. Just 26%
of adults aged 16 and over smoke and 77% of these have indicated
that they would like to give up smoking.
Investing for Health Conference 2005 The 2005 Investing for Health Conference will be held on 17th November 2005 at the Radisson Roe Hotel, Limavady. The 'Challenges and opportunities for Investing for Health' conference will highlight the broad spectrum of work contributing to improving health and reducing inequalities across Northern Ireland. Anyone wishing to have a paper considered for presentation at the conference workshops is invited to submit a summary paper. Further information and guidance on how to submit your summary and on how to book your place is available at Development of New Strategic Direction for Drugs & Alcohol in Northern Ireland As part of the development process of the New Strategic Direction for Drugs and Alcohol in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) are currently encouraging and promoting the formulation of long-term aims and intended outcomes. This is to cover the period 2006 -2011. In order to inform this process the DHSSPS are asking all those with an interest in and/or a responsibility for drug and alcohol-related issues to consider the consultation template (available at the link below), and to complete it and forward it to the New Strategic Direction Development Team. The closing date for responses is 16 September 2005 Alternatively, written submissions may be sent to the following address: New Strategic Direction for Drugs and Alcohol in Northern Ireland Total Consulting 62 Donegall Pass Belfast BT7 1BU Fax no. (028) 9032 2132 Further information can be found at www.dhssps ni.gov.uk/econsultation/drugalcohol/strategic_direction.asp Northern Ireland to decide on extent of smoking ban The public consultation on the introduction of a smoking ban in Northern Ireland closed on 25th March 2005. Over 70,000 responses on smoking were received. 91% voted for a complete ban, 8% voted for a partial ban and less than 1% opted for self-regulation. Minister for Health Shaun Woodward is to take another few months to decide whether there will be a partial ban or a total ban in all enclosed public places and workplaces in Northern Ireland. The minister is expected to want to have a close look at how the ban was enforced in the Republic of Ireland and what impact it had on the licensed trade. In the Republic of Ireland, smoking has been banned in all workplaces, including pubs, since 2004. The majority of those who responded to a recent public consultation on smoking said that is what should happen in Northern Ireland as well. Health Impact Assessment of Belfast City's Draft Air Quality Action Plan Belfast City Council, working in partnership with a number of interested parties including the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, Belfast Healthy Cities, the Department of Health, the DRD Road Service and Translink are conducting an Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on Belfast City’s Draft Air Quality Action Plan. The Draft Air Quality Action Plan details proposed actions to improve air quality across the city and specifically in four geographical areas.
The above areas were declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) after extensive air quality monitoring and computer modelling indicated that government targets for Particulate Material (PM10) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) are likely to be exceeded. These two pollutants are attributed mainly to road transport and the four AQMAs are associated with busy arterial routes into the city. The purpose of the HIA is to assess the positive and negative health impacts or effects of the Draft Air Quality Action Plan, with a view to making recommendations to minimise harm and bring about maximum health benefits. In May 2005 the Council sought the views of young people through mini HIAs held in two local schools. To encourage public participation in the assessment the Council also organised two community workshops and a Stakeholder Workshop in the City Hall in June 2005. The Air Quality Review and Assessment and the Draft Air Quality Action Plan can be viewed on the Council’s web page at www.belfastcity.gov.uk
Healthwise scheme getting patients active! Patients whose health could benefit from becoming fitter and more active could soon be enjoying a new physical activity programme. Patients throughout the Eastern Board area may be referred by their health professional for a physical activity programme thanks to a new health promotional scheme - known as Healthwise. The scheme, set up through EPACG (Eastern Physical Activity Coordination Group) has been developed by a range of partner organisations and is funded by the Big Lottery. The partnership scheme is aimed at helping people improve their health through a modest and carefully managed physical activity programme. There has also been input to the scheme from community health and social services Trust organisations within the Board's area. The Belfast and Castlereagh phase of Healthwise was launched on 1st June 2005, following the lead of Ards, Lisburn and Down council areas. The scheme will soon also be launched in the North Down council area. Healthwise allows healthcare professionals such as a doctor, registered nurse or therapist to refer patients to council leisure centres across the Eastern Heath and Social Services Board area for a 12 week programme of physical activity. Through Healthwise, EPACG aim to promote an innovative and proactive approach to health, which will help to tackle many key health issues prevalent in Northern Ireland today. It is not about being competitive but about activities that done regularly can improve general health. To find out if your health professional is registered on the scheme or if you are health professional who would like to become registered, please contact us at publichealth@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk
Healthy Ageing event - working in partnership The Healthy Ageing: InterAction, Towards an Action Plan event, organised by Belfast Healthy Cities, was held on 20 May 2005 and attracted significant interest with a total of around 170 participants. The event was an opportunity for professionals and older people to influence the development of an inter-sectoral action plan for older people, which Belfast Healthy Cities are developing in collaboration with EHSSB. The aim of the event was to identify priorities for action to improve the health and wellbeing of older people on six themes identified as overall priorities, and it resulted in a wide range of potential action. The key outcome was a recognition that organisations need to work in partnership, and that more co-ordinated approaches would bring increased benefits to older people. Belfast Healthy Cities will
now establish working groups to develop action plans for each theme.
The final action plan will be launched by early 2006.
EHSSB Communicable Disease Updates now available online EHSSB Communicable Disease Updates (commonly known as GP Mini Scripts) are now available online in the publications section of this website. GP Mini Scripts are sent out on a regular basis by the Communicable Disease team in the Eastern Board to a range of recipients including GPs, Practice Nurses and Health Visitors. They include practical advice on infectious disease issues from immunisation to TB to Gastro-enteritis. Back issues are available on request by emailing publichealth@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk. If you wish to submit a subject for inclusion in future editions of the Mini Scripts, please let us know.
Healthy ageing: interaction, towards an action plan The Eastern Health and Social Services Board are developing a strategy for older people's health and social services for the period 2005-2015. The aim of the strategy is to bring about change and a shift in the way in which the health and quality of life needs of older people are addressed in the Eastern area. A key element of the strategy is to develop an intersectoral action plan, based on the broad determinants of health as identified by the involvement of older people themselves. Healthy ageing is one of the
three key themes of the World Heath Organisation that provides the
mandate for the work of Healthy Cities. Belfast
Healthy Cities, in conjunction with the Eastern Board and Investing
for Health, is organising a Healthy
Ageing event at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast on Friday 20 May 2005.
The aim of the event is to agree proposals for action and identify
mechanisms for delivery on the six themes identified in Healthy
Ageing: interaction towards an action plan, which will
improve the health and wellbeing of older people in the Eastern
Board area. Workshops will focus on the six priority themes
of the action plan: transport, community safety, home safety, housing,
income and health development/promotion. For a copy of this
document and for further information on the event, please go to
Belfast Health Cities website at www.belfasthealthycities.com
There has been a large and rapid rise in the number of cases of mumps in the Eastern Board area. Following a reduction in mumps over the summer and autumn months of 2004, there has been a considerable increase since the start of 2005 and a shift to Belfast. 689 cases have been notified in the area in the early weeks of 2005 (up to 18 March 2005). Most cases are teenagers and young adults who have received only one, or no, doses of MMR vaccination, leaving them incompletely protected against the disease. The profile of those with mumps indicates those most at risk are those too old to have had two doses of MMR vaccine in the routine schedule (born pre 1992) but young enough to have grown up during a period of lower mumps incidence (born post 1980). Those attending school and colleges/universities are more likely to be in contact with mumps and many educational establishments have had outbreaks. Recent increases in mumps activity have also been reported throughout Northern Ireland and in Scotland and England. The recent rise in mumps activity again highlights the importance of children receiving two doses of MMR vaccine.
Pen your support for smoke free workplaces
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) has issued a new twenty-year strategy for health and wellbeing, 'A Healthier Future'. Reducing smoking is identified as a key element in improving the health of the people of Northern Ireland. Three options are presented for taking forward action on the protection of non-smokers from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke: Option A Should restrictions on smoking in public places and in workplaces be a matter for self-regulation and should Government simply act to encourage and support smoking cessation? Option B Should smoking generally be prohibited in most enclosed public places and workplaces, but allowed in certain settings such as pubs that do not prepare and serve food and in private clubs where the members decide to permit smoking? Option C Should legislation be introduced to ban smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces? Option C is being supported by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and your support of smoke free workplaces is vital to the health of the people of Northern Ireland. Many years of research have produced overwhelming evidence to show that exposure to passive smoking (breathing in tobacco smoke from a smoky environment) is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The risk of developing lung cancer or heart disease is about 25% higher for people exposed to passive smoking. Option C provides the greatest level of protection for the health of all workers and the clearest policy to implement. If you too support the option to go smoke free in all enclosed public places and workplaces, please respond to the Regional Strategy Consultation and express your preference for Option 5.c by writing to: Regional Strategy Team Room C4. 22 Castle Buildings Stormont Belfast BT4 3SJ For your views to count in the current consultation you must repond before 25th March 2005. Responses can also be sent by email to regional.strategy@dhsspsni.gov.uk You can express your support online at www.smokefreenorthernireland.com
An ambulatory care plenary
session was held at Grosvenor House on 21st January 2005.
The ambulatory care project is part of the Eastern Board's Developing
Better Services Project and is looking at the development of primary
care and community based alternatives to acute assessment and treatment.
The event consisted of an overview of the ambulatory care project
and feedback from each of the 12 subgroups.
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Eastern Health and Social Services Board Champion
House, |
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| “Stay
Cool in School”, a pilot programme in primary, post primary
and special schools across the area initiated by EHSSB Oral Health
Promotion Facilitators, promotes desk top access to drinking water
throughout the school day. |
| Smoking
in pregnancy increases the risk of: |
| In Northern
Ireland 3% of the population are known to have diabetes, a figure
which is expected to double in the next 8 years. Up to a further
25,000 people may have diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed. |