SwissDock, a protein-small molecule docking web service based on EADock DSS.

Most life science processes involve, at the atomic scale, recognition between two molecules. The prediction of such interactions at the molecular level, by so-called docking software, is a non-trivial task. Docking programs have a wide range of applications ranging from protein engineering to drug design. This article presents SwissDock, a web server dedicated to the docking of small molecules on target proteins. It is based on the EADock DSS engine, combined with setup scripts for curating common problems and for preparing both the target protein and the ligand input files. An efficient Ajax/HTML interface was designed and implemented so that scientists can easily submit dockings and retrieve the predicted complexes. For automated docking tasks, a programmatic SOAP interface has been set up and template programs can be downloaded in Perl, Python and PHP. The web site also provides an access to a database of manually curated complexes, based on the Ligand Protein Database. A wiki and a forum are available to the community to promote interactions between users. The SwissDock web site is available online at http://www.swissdock.ch. We believe it constitutes a step toward generalizing the use of docking tools beyond the traditional molecular modeling community.

Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 - Health Sector Action Plan 2012

This revised Action Plan is designed to support the delivery of the HSEâ?Ts 2012 National Service Plan by facilitating the fast-tracking of measures required to deliver essential health and personal social services across the country within the context of further reductions in funding and staff numbers. The implementation of the National Service Plan, approved by the Minister for Health on 13 January 2012, represents a major challenge to the health services and comes at a time of major reform of the public health system.   Click here to download PDF 161kb

Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement) Integrated Departmental and Agencies Action Plan 2012

Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement) Integrated Departmental and Agencies Action Plan 2012 Integrated Departmental and Agencies Action Plan (Jan 2012) PDF 54kb Integrated Departmental and Agencies Action Plan (Oct 2012) PDF 194kb  

Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement) - Second Annual Progress, Savings and Productivity Reports for the Department and its Agencies

Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement) – Second Annual Progress, Savings and Productivity Reports for the Department and its Agencies Integrated Annual Progress Report for the Department and its Agencies PDF 327kb Annual Savings Report for the Department’s Agencies PDF 205kb Productivity Report for the Department and its Agencies PDF 205kb

Public Service Agreement - Revised Health Sector Action Plan - December 2012

The health service has been at the forefront in delivering significant change under the PSA. The substantial contribution already made by health service staff, especially during the period of concentrated retirements up to February 2012, is acknowledged and much appreciated by management. These changes are being achieved in what is a complex working environment with increasing demands, (500,000 increase in medical card holders between 2007 and 2012) and a growing and ageing population, within a public health service which is undergoing unprecedented organisational change and reform, accompanied by a reducing workforce. Public Service Agreement – Revised Health Sector Action Plan- December 2012 savings report Click here to download PDF 51kb

Public Service Agreement - Health Sector second annual progress and savings report

Department cover letters PDF 839kb Main health sector progress report PDF 11.1mb Traffic light document PDF 39kb Savings template PDF 268kb

Future Health - A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 - 2015

The Programme for Government promises the most fundamental reform of our health services in the history of the State. Future Health – A Srategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015 details the actions that we will take to deliver on this promise. The need for change in the health service is unquestionable. The current system is unfair to patients; it often  fails  to meet their needs fast enough; and it does not deliver value for money.   Click here to download

Report for Minister Reilly on Beechpark Autism Services & related Service Issues for children with ASD in Dublin North

Report for Minister Reilly on Beechpark Autism Services & related Service Issues for children with ASD in Dublin North Report for Minister Reilly on Beechpark Autism Services & related Service Issues for children with ASD in Dublin North Click here to download PDF 2MB

Public Service Agreement Health Sector 3rd Annual Progress Report 1st April to 31st December 2012

Public Service Agreement Health Sector 3rd Annual Progress Report 1st April to 31st December 2012 Click here to download PDF 1MB

Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement) - Third Annual Progress and Savings Report for the Department and its Agencies

Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (Croke Park Agreement) – Third Annual Progress and Savings Report for the Department and its Agencies   Click here to download Integrated Progress Report on Action Plan for the Department and its Agencies PDF 242KB Click here to download Annual Savings Report for the Department’s Agencies PDF 155KB

Composite Report (Health Service Reform Programme)

  This Composite Report on the work of the Action Committees established for Phase I of the Health Reform Programme sets out a brief summary of the issues raised and conclusions reached during Phase I. It is intended as an input to the planning of subsequent phases and should not be regarded as binding in any respect. Click here to download PDF

Putting a health inequalities focus on Northern Ireland cardiovascular service framework - Summary report

The PHA, supported by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) and other agencies and individuals, has completed a health impact assessment (HIA) on the Cardiovascular Service Framework (CVSFW) for Northern Ireland.The CVSFW is the first in a series of service frameworks developed in Northern Ireland to guide HSC provision from prevention and health improvement over early intervention in communities and general practice into hospital and other institutional settings towards rehabilitation, palliative care and end of life.The CVSFW is relevant to everyone who has a part in HSC services for health improvement, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), peripheral vascular disease and renal disease. This includes patients, carers, families, communities, voluntary and statutory service providers, policy makers and researchers.

Putting a health inequalities focus on the Northern Ireland cardiovascular service framework

The PHA, supported by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) and other agencies and individuals, has completed a health impact assessment (HIA) on the Cardiovascular Service Framework (CVSFW) for Northern Ireland.The CVSFW is the first in a series of service frameworks developed in Northern Ireland to guide HSC provision from prevention and health improvement over early intervention in communities and general practice into hospital and other institutional settings towards rehabilitation, palliative care and end of life.The CVSFW is relevant to everyone who has a part in HSC services for health improvement, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), peripheral vascular disease and renal disease. This includes patients, carers, families, communities, voluntary and statutory service providers, policy makers and researchers. There are many determinants which impact on cardiovascular disease. Individual lifestyles are major contributors and smoking remains one of the biggest risk factors for the disease alongside sedentary lifestyles and alcohol consumption. Circumstances experienced during the early years influence health and wellbeing into adulthood. Breastfeeding can help protect against obesity, while physical activity and eating habits developed from a young age often form lifelong patterns of behaviour. Living and working conditions also impact on health. Type of job, level of control and employment conditions are major factors. Educational achievement and income are also powerful influences on health. The environment where we live can provide access to open and green space, which plays an important part in physical activity patterns alongside available transport infrastructure. As well as physical health impacts, all of these factors also influence mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Neurological conditions: involvement to improve service delivery

A major, ongoing Public Health Agency led consultation exercise has identified 12 recommendations to improve the lives of the 48,000 people, and their carers, who experience neurological conditions across Northern Ireland. These recommendations will form the basis of an action plan to improve service delivery and support for those experiencing a range of conditions, such as epilepsy, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple sclerosis (MS).The recommendations cover four areas:accurate information and diagnosis;control and choice, particularly self-management and person-centred services;day-to-day living and independence, including finance, employment, social life and ability to get out and about;emotional and psychological impact on individuals and families, eg the support available to deal with stress, fear, frustration, isolation, loss and vulnerability associated with living with a neurological condition.The report was launched at a regional workshop, held in Cookstown (today) and co-ordinated through the Neurological Conditions Network, which was established to develop this work.Speaking before the workshop, Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "Neurological conditions give rise to complex needs, which require support from a wide range of professionals. They also change lives, both for those directly affected and for their families and carers, and it is so important not to lose sight of this if we are to successfully address the challenges in tackling neurological conditions."Last week, I visited the home of Beth McCune, who suffers from motor neurone disease. I was invited to see for myself the daily challenges faced by Beth and her husband and carer, Arthur, and to hear of their experiences. While I was struck by their courage and patience, this visit underlined again for me the severe life-changing impact of the disease."At present, there are some 48,000 people in Northern Ireland living with neurological conditions. It was in recognition of the needs of men and women like Beth that my department requested the establishment of the Neurological Conditions Network and provided the necessary funding to support it."Michelle Tennyson, PHA Assistant Director and Chair of the Neurological Conditions Network, said: "This detailed engagement exercise was undertaken to get the views and quality of life experiences of those affected by these conditions. We tried to ensure everyone who wanted to contribute could, by providing support through helplines, the internet and face-to-face events. I am honoured that so many people have trusted us with their experiences to help us make a difference and was privileged to be invited into the home of Beth and Arthur McCune for the same reason."The recommendations cover a range of conditions and their implementation will need cooperation and action from professionals, service users, voluntary organizations and others, across many sectors and agencies. The network is looking forward to delivering on these challenging new ways of working to improve the lives of all those affected by neurological conditions."The workshop attracted service users and carers along with delegates from across Northern Ireland's community, voluntary and statutory sectors.If you have a neurological condition, or care for someone who does, and want to share your experiences, please go to: www.publichealth.hscni.net/ncnsurveyYou can also contact Julie Mawhinney, Tel: 028 9032 1313.

Transmit: Health protection service bulletin. 2011: Issue 7

This edition of Transmit leads with the arrangements for the management of seasonal flu during the 2011/12 campaign. It provides an overview of the vaccination programme, including details on who should be vaccinated, and includes a link to the updated chapter in the Green Book.The bulletin has duty room guidance on the management of invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGAS) and the news section gives an encouraging update on measles in Northern Ireland.A number of routine reports are also summarised in this edition of Transmit. Statistics and graphs are provided to outline the latest reports on:· Immunisations and vaccine preventable diseases· Respiratory pathogens, quarters one and two 2011, Northern Ireland· Quarterly reporting of MRSA and Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) · Cryptosporidium 2010