Regional Eligibility Criteria for the Provision of Wheelchairs Through the Northern Ireland Wheelchair Service (PDF 2.20 MB)

A Guide for wheelchair users on regional eligibility criteria for the provision of wheelchairs through the Northern Ireland Wheelchair Service

NI 2007 Sight Test Survey Final Report (PDF 715KB)

2007 Sight Test Survey Report

Breast screening: satisfactory test results - what now?

This leaflet is used to support the Northern Ireland breast screening programme and is issued to the one in 20 women who are called back after their initial breast x-ray for further tests at a breast assessment clinic

Bowel cancer screening: how to take the test (English and 10 translations)

Format: 6 page A5 leaflet Target group: Prospective participants in the Northern Ireland Bowel cancer screening programme Description: This leaflet provides step by step instructions on using the Faecal Occult Blood test (FOBt) for bowel cancer screening.

Bowel cancer screening: the repeat test (English and 10 translations)

Format: 6 page A5 leaflet Target group: Participants in the Northern Ireland Bowel cancer screening programme who require a second test. Description: This leaflet provides step by step instructions on using the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for bowel cancer screening.

Cervical cancer: it's best to take the test

From January 2011, the Northern Ireland cervical screening programme no longer invited women aged under 25 to attend for screening. In addition, the screening interval for women aged 25-49 was reduced to every three years. This leaflet is one of a series of new information materials that was developed to reflect the policy changes and to give information to increase the uptake of information and interventions offered to protect and maintain the health of women in the target group. It gives information about cervical screening in Northern Ireland and helps women to understand why it is important to be screened.

An evaluation of the inappropriate prescribing in older residents in long term care facilities in the greater Cork and Northern Ireland regions using the STOPP and Beers' criteria.

This work has highlighted a number of areas of prescribing concern, for example, the long term use of both benzodiazepines and hypnotics, in older residents residing in long term care facilities. Each of these individual areas should be further investigated to determine the underlying reason(s) for the prescribing concerns in these areas and strategic methods of addressing and preventing further issues should be developed on a national level.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Standard Evaluation Framework for Weight Management Interventions - Core Criteria

The National Obesity Observatory was established to provide a single point of contact for wide-ranging authoritative information on data and evidence related to obesity, overweight, underweight and their determinants. The Standard Evaluation Framework is a list of data collection criteria and supporting guidance for collecting high quality information to support the evaluation of weight management interventions. This is a quick reference guide to the core criteria of the Standard Evaluation Framework. Essential criteria are presented as the minimum recommended data for evaluating a weight management intervention. Desirable criteria are additional data that would enhance the evaluation.refer to the resource

Revised Criteria and Procedures for the Establishment of New Primary Schools - Report of the Commission on School Accommodation

Part One explores the background factors relating to new school establishment, outlines the views received as a result of consultation with the public and the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) and reviews international practice in relation to establishment of new schools. The population of the country experienced an unprecedented increase in the past ten years. Despite the current economic downturn, the effect of this recent population increase is that growth in demand for school places is set to increase over the short to medium term. The overriding objective is to ensure that a school place is available to every child. Part Two explores issues around planning for new schools in the future. It discusses patron selection, the mechanism for identifying the need for a new school and proposals for cost effectiveness, including campus arrangements. A school is of central importance to a local community and therefore the establishment of a new school must be carried out with reference to the overall plan of the local authority for any given area. Guidelines published under Section 28 of the Planning Act entitled “The Provision of Schools and the Planning System” (July 2008) establish a 7 framework for co-operation between the Department and planning authorities to ensure the timely and cost-effective provision of school facilities.

This one's got a phobia of doctors. Thankfully, you can do the bowel cancer test at home

This poster highlights the bowel cancer screening programme is being introduced for all 60 to 71 year olds. If you are in this age group a kit will be sent by post so you can do the test at home. You are encouraged to look out for the kit as it could save your life.

Why did I take the bowel cancer test? It's simple, I've got a lot more living to do

This poster highlights the bowel cancer screening programme is being introduced for all 60 to 71 year olds. If you are in this age group a kit will be sent by post so you can do the test at home. You are encouraged to look out for the kit as it could save your life.

I had bowel cancer but I didn't have any symptoms. That's why I'm urging you to take the test

This poster highlights the importance of taking the bowel cancer screening test which will be posted out to you if you are aged 60-71 years old. You are encouraged to look out for the kit as it could save your life.

Cervical screening programme: HPV triage and test of cure protocol

Testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) as triage and test of cure was introduced into the Northern Ireland Cervical Screening Programme on Monday 28 January 2013. This policy change will significantly alter the screening pathway for women with a mild dyskaryosis or borderline smear result. The link between HR-HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer has now been clearly established, with almost 100% of cervical cancers containing HPV DNA. Women with no evidence of HR-HPV infection are extremely unlikely to develop cervical cancer in the short to medium term. HPV triage is the process whereby HR-HPV testing is used to manage women with low grade cervical abnormalities. Only 15-20% of women with a borderline or mild smear result have a significant abnormality that needs treatment. HR-HPV testing is effective in identifying which women may need treatment and allows colposcopy resources to be allocated more effectively.The test of cure process is being introduced because it is now known that women with a normal or low grade smear test, and who are HR-HPV negative at six months after treatment, are at very low risk of residual disease. These women do not need to be recalled for another screening appointment for three years.The test of cure process means all post-treatment smears (at six months) that are reported as normal, borderline or mild dyskaryosis will be tested for HR-HPV. Those women who are HR-HPV positive will remain at colposcopy. HR-HPV negative women can be safely returned to recall in three years. It is estimated that the HR-HPV test of cure will allow approximately 80% of women who have been through treatment to avoid undergoing annual smear tests. This flowchart poster outlines the new triage and test of cure process. It was distributed to all GPs in Northern Ireland and is available to download as a PDF from this website.�

Sixty to seventy-four? It's time you took the test for bowel cancer

This poster highlights the bowel cancer screening programme is being introduced for all 60 to 74 year olds. If you are in this age group a kit will be sent by post so you can do the test at home. You are encouraged to look out for the kit as it could save your life.