Dementia 2013: The hidden voice of loneliness

Dementia 2013: The hidden voice of loneliness is Alzheimer's Society's annual report examining the quality of life for people with dementia.The report found that over half of the general public (54 per cent) believe that people with dementia have a bad quality of life. This was echoed in the feedback from people with dementia with 70 per cent saying they had stopped doing things they used to due because of lack of confidence. The majority of people with dementia also felt anxious or depressed (63 per cent) and a third of people (35 per cent) said they’d lost friends after a diagnosis.��Other key statistics in Dementia 2013 include:38 per cent of all people with dementia said they felt lonelyPeople with dementia said they relied on relatives and friends for social contact and yet almost a quarter (21 per cent) speak to friends or family on the telephone less than once a month. ��Only 23 per cent of the general public thought it was possible for a person with dementia to live alone ��16 per cent answered that they would not be comfortable talking to someone with dementia, 19 per cent were unsure.The findings from Dementia 2013 are based on a survey of 510 people with dementia or carers on their behalf and a YouGov poll of 2,287 UK adults.Download the full report here.������

Cope with Confidence - survey of heart failure patient experience

Your views matter - if you have heart failure, or are close to someone who does, please complete our survey by 31st�March 2012 (link below).Heart failure is a common condition affecting at least 20,000 people in Northern Ireland. The aim of this survey is to find out how to increase the confidence of people living with heart failure so they have a better quality of life, and can work in partnership with health care professionals and support services in managing their condition. The findings of this survey will be used to help improve services.Your views are important and we would encourage you to complete the survey. It should only take around 20 minutes. Participation is confidential which means that your identity will not be revealed. You are asked for your age, the first part of you post code and which GP practice you are registered with. This is so the results for different age groups and for different large geographical areas (i.e. Health & Social Care Trust areas) can be compared.� Results will not be examined by individual GP practice.Participation is voluntary i.e. taking part in the study is your decision. Whether you participate or not will have no effect on the medical care you receive from your GP practice or elsewhere. None of the health care professionals involved in your care will know if you participate or not: neither will they see your individual response.Whether you are an adult or a young person living with heart failure, or a partner, care giver, son, daughter, relative or friend, we would like you to share your experiences. This will help us to develop existing services in Northern Ireland to better meet your needs.You can share your experience by completing the survey online, clicking this�link:�http://sg.sensemaker-suite.com/CopewithconfidenceThe survey should be completed by 31st�March 2012.�If you have any queries about the survey, or you would like to request a paper copy to complete, please contact the Public Health Agency (028) 9032 1313 and ask for extension 2487 or email us at copewithconfidence@hscni.netPlease note that the survey team can only assist in survey related questions and will not able to answer questions about heart failure, its treatment or services provided.The Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke Association and The British Heart Foundation can provide information about support available to people with heart failure. Their contact details are:.�Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association:� www.nichsa.com, telephone (028) 9032 0184.�British Heart Foundation:� www.bhf.org.uk, telephone 0300 330 3311

Regional guidelines for nurses when sharing information with NIGALA

Effective safeguarding children practice depends upon information sharing, collaboration and understanding between families, agencies and professionals. Nurses are required to work in partnership with other disciplines and agencies to safeguard and promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people. This includes working in partnership with the guardian ad litem (guardian) appointed by the court when making decisions regarding the best interests of a child or young person.This guidance replaces previous regional guidance. Regional implementation will ensure that information held by nurses is shared with the guardian in a consistent, timely and appropriate manner, so that informed decisions can be made in the best interests of children and young people.

Mental Health First Aid Training Programme

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Programme for Northern Ireland has been adapted from the original MHFA programme established in Australia by Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm. MHFA is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem or who is currently in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until professional help is available or until the crisis resolves. More than 4,500 people have attended MHFA training in Northern Ireland since it began in 2009 following a successful pilot in 2005. The aims of MHFA are to: preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others; provide help to prevent the mental health problem becoming more serious; promote the recovery of good mental health; provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem. MHFA teaches participants: how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems; how to provide initial help; how to go about guiding a person towards appropriate professional help. The training programme is available to people from all backgrounds and has proved successful with different professional groups. MHFA training involves teaching participants how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. Each course is delivered by two MHFA instructors, usually over two consecutive days and four sessions to a maximum of 20 delegates. The course can also be delivered one day a week for two weeks or in four three-hour sessions. To apply for the training programme, people should contact their local Health and Social care Trust. Each Trust runs MHFA training several times a year. Topics covered include: What is meant by mental health/mental ill health? Dealing with crisis situations such as suicidal behaviour, self-harm, panic attacks and acute psychotic behaviour. Recognising the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis and substance use disorders. Where and how to get help. Self help strategies.

ASIST training helping to tackle suicide

Work to help communities prevent suicide has taken a further step forward with over 50 ASIST Trainers from across Northern Ireland completing the new ASIST 11 upgrader trainer course.The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) enables people in a position of trust to recognise risk and learn how to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide.The Public Health Agency (PHA) funded the upgrading training as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting quality training for a range of individuals, communities and organisations.Madeline Heaney, the PHA's strategic lead for Suicide Prevention, explained: "This programme enables people who have been trained to become more willing, ready and able to help those at risk of suicide, which can be vital in a crisis situation.�"We want to empower people who are in position of responsibility and care to know what to do if they find themselves in a situation where someone is at risk of taking their own lives."�ASIST has been delivered in Northern Ireland since 2003 and the course is designed for all caregivers or any person in a position of trust, making it useful for a range of people. The training is suitable for mental health professionals, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, teachers, counsellors, youth workers, police and prison staff, school support staff, clergy, community volunteers and the general public.This most recent training, which ASIST Trainers must complete, builds on previous editions and offers advances that help meet current challenges and provides new opportunities in helping to reduce suicides within communities.The intensive Trainer Upgrade was held in Derry/ Londonderry.More information on looking after your mental health and the support which is available across Northern Ireland can be found at www.mindingyourhead.info��You can also talk to your GP for advice.If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. This is a confidential service, where trained counsellors will listen and help immediately on the phone and follow up with other support if necessary. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access the Lifeline website at www.lifelinehelpline.info

Regional Health and Social Care Personal and Public Involvement Forum: Annual Update Report 2012/13

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) is an essential component in the delivery of truly person centred services.�It is also a statutory duty.�The PHA has leadership responsibilities in respect of the implementation of PPI across HSC.�One of the ways in which the PHA discharges that leadership function, is through the Regional HSC PPI Forum.�This body brings together all HSC organisations, working alongside service users and carers, to bring a focus on involvement.�It promotes the sharing of best practice, identifies and tackles issues of common concern and providers a platform for the active participation of service users and carers.� Each year in response to a Priorities for Action (PFA) target, the PHA, working with HSC partners, service users and carers in the Forum, develop an Annual Report on PPI work taken forward through the Forum.The report for 2012/13 details progress in a number of important areas such as training, development of standards etc.

Director of Public Health annual report 2012 and core tables 2011

Improving the health and wellbeing of the elderly is the theme of the fourth Director of Public Health annual report, launched on 12 June 2013. Northern Ireland's elderly population is growing and older people are living longer than ever before, which emphasises the importance of providing health and social care that allows them to live a productive life.This report highlights the many areas of public health work aimed at giving elderly people in Northern Ireland the best opportunity to live active and healthy lives in a safe and secure environment. An in-depth overview also provides statistics on many aspects of life as an elderly person here - life expectancy, mortality, mental wellbeing, lifestyle, social determinants of health etc. Further, more detailed, data is included in an accompanying report available�as a separate document.��The core tables for 2011, also available to download below, include information such as estimated home population figures and projections, birth rates, fertility rates, death rates, information on mortality, life expectancy, immunisation rates and screening uptake rates.The presentation slides from key speakers from the launch event on 12 June 2013 and all parallel sessions are also appended below.�Please note:�The PHA cannot be held responsible for any breach of copyright that may exist within individual presentations.Anyone wishing to get a copy of the presentation by Ron McDowell�in the 'Identifying those at risk' category should contact him directly at mcdowell-R3@email.ulster.ac.uk

Factsheet: the health risks of second-hand smoke

This factsheet summarises why one person's smoking can be harmful to others, by highlighting the health risks of second-hand smoke to adults and children.�

Immunisation guidance notes for professionals (2015 edition)

Informed consent – which can be either written or oral (depending on local Trust policy) – must be obtained and recorded in the notes at the time of each immunisation, after the child’s fitness and suitability have been established. It is important that the person giving consent is fully informed about the vaccine at the time they give consent. Written material is available to assist in this, but is not a substitute for an opportunity to discuss the issues with a health professional. Consent is given by the person with parental responsibility; however, this person does not necessarily need to be present at the time the immunisation is given. Although the decision to immunise must be taken by the person with parental responsibility, they can arrange for someone else (eg grandparent or childminder) to bring the child to be immunised. You do not need consent in writing – if they have received all the relevant information and arranged for another person to bring the child, the circumstances indicate they have consented. A child under 16 years may give consent provided he or she understands fully the benefits and risks involved. If a competent child consents to treatment, a parent cannot override that consent. Obviously they should be encouraged to involve the person with parental responsibility in the decision. Legally, a parent can consent if a competent child refuses �