Author Archives: Yvonne

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine catch up campaign

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Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine catch up campaign

You may be aware parts of the UK and Europe are seeing an increase in measles cases. Measles is highly infectious, can have serious complications and can be life threatening.  Evidence is clear that the MMR vaccine is the safest way to help protect your child against measles, mumps and rubella.  To help protect your child and others the Public Health Agency (PHA) advise ensuring you are fully vaccinated with MMR.

Measles can cause very serious illness

Measles usually causes a runny nose, red eyes, cough, high temperature and rash. It can also cause complications including ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia and convulsions. It is more likely to be serious in pregnant women, people whose immunity is not working properly and babies under a year of age. Very serious complications, such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) are rare, but can be fatal. 

Measles spreads very easily

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known. You can catch measles if you spend 15 minutes in the same room with someone who has the disease, or even less time if you are in direct contact. The measles virus is spread through the air and in tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth of an infected person.

MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine is given in two doses as part of the childhood vaccination programme. The first dose is given just after your child’s first birthday and a second dose is given at 3 years and 4 months, before your child starts school

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides the best protection against measles.

Even if you may have previously declined vaccination we want to offer you the opportunity to get vaccinated to protect you against Measles infection.

MMR Catch up

Your GP will be running catch up for children aged 12 months to 5 years who have missed their vaccines. You will be contacted by your GP should your child be identified as requiring one or two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Your local Health and Social Care Trust is running an MMR vaccine catch up campaign for those aged 6 to 25 years of age.  The campaign will run from 5th February 2024 until 31st March 2024.  For further information go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/mmr-catch-up

Measles

Anyone can get measles if they haven’t been vaccinated or they haven’t had it before, although it’s most common in young children.

Adults and older children can be vaccinated at any age if they haven’t been fully vaccinated before.

Measles is very infectious so it is important that anyone with suspected measles avoids any situation where they can spread the disease, such as a GP’s waiting room or an emergency department waiting room. People should therefore phone there GP, out of hours service and phone first for A&E in advance and get advice rather than turning up to these venues Phone First FAQs – DOH/HSCNI Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG).

 

NI Rare Disease Partnership

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The Northern Ireland Rare Disease Partnership (NIRDP) are thrilled to introduce their newly devised education and upskilling programme, “Understanding Rare”. This initiative is designed to foster a deeper understanding and empathy towards the unique needs of the 1 in 17/110K individuals (many of which are children) living with rare diseases or conditions in Northern Ireland, and many of whom experience acute mental health/financial/work/housing or isolation needs alongside carers or family members who are also experiencing these challenges. Some of these “Rare Stories” can be found here

NIRDP understand that mental health providers and Helplines NI (of which we are also a member) play a pivotal role in offering support and guidance to these individuals. Therefore, we have crafted a free 1.5-hour remote learning Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session that aims to equip mental health or helpline and support staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to address their needs more effectively.

Through this short programme, participants will be better prepared to:

  • Understand the complex needs of those with rare diseases in our community.
  • Empathise with their unique challenges and experiences through the sharing of Rare Stories
  • Signpost more successfully to organisations like the NIRDP or other rare condition organisations, facilitating a network of comprehensive support.

NIRDP are pleased to inform you that this initiative is generously funded by the Community Foundation/DOH in Northern Ireland, a testament to the significance and potential impact of this programme. We kindly then encourage you to share this invaluable opportunity with your staff, colleagues, and those in your organisation responsible for supporting CPD initiatives. For further information or to express your interest, please do not hesitate to contact us directly or share this email with colleagues within or beyond your own organisation that may find this matter of interest, especially in training or HR departments.

 

 

Angel Eyes NI – Equality for Children with Vision Impairment

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All children have dreams and aspirations and we believe that blind and partially sighted children should have the same opportunities in life to achieve these as their fully sighted peers.  Angel Eyes NI supports parents to access early intervention family support services at the earliest stage in their child’s life.

Our aim is to provide parents and their families with the tools to make this possible and to enable their child to realise their full potential.  

Our Vision

Every blind and partially sighted child in Northern Ireland will have equal opportunities in life to fully achieve their dreams, aspirations and potential

Our Service

Angel Eyes NI offer a range of parenting/family support  services including signposting, education advocacy, advice, access to early years programmes including play groups, parent peer support, family outings and much more to support families with a blind or partially sighted child.

Contact Us

Angel Eyes NI

Innovation Factory

385 Springfield Road

Belfast, BT12 7DG

Telephone – 028 9590 2835 

Website: www.angeleyesni.org

 

Drugs and Alcohol NI

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The Public Health Agency continues to commission a range of drug and alcohol intervention and prevention services across Northern Ireland. These services offer;

  • Drug and alcohol awareness and service information sessions for organisations/networks
  • Targeted life skills programmes for children and young people aged 11-25 years at risk of or experiencing substance use issues
  • Youth Engagement Services for children and young people aged 11-25 years. Young people attending the YES can receive information, advice and support on a range of issues including:
  • Mental health and Emotional wellbeing Issues: Depression, Low Self-Esteem, Self-harm, Family Problems, Educational (School) Problems;
  • Wider Personal and Health Issues: Drugs and Alcohol (including tobacco), Relationships, Sexual Health, Healthy Eating;
  • Social Welfare Issues: Benefits, Housing, Debts, Employment; and,
  • Practical Issues: Further Education, Careers, Money Management, Independent Living Skills.

The service also acts as a supportive signposting and referral agency for children

and young people with additional support needs.

For more information visit Drugs and Alcohol | NI (drugsandalcoholni.info) or contact your local trust area connections team at Contact Us | Drugs and Alcohol (drugsandalcoholni.info).

Help Kids Talk – July Message

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We have a lovely July message of the month: “Less watching, more talking… put everything away and just sing, talk and play”

This month we want to encourage parents and families to minimise screen time and spend time playing and talking with their children.

Please use the link below which will take you to:

  • a video explaining the message of the month
  • a PDF version of the poster to be displayed in setting or shared via email, Seesaw or another platform
  • some ideas on how to put this message into practice.

CLICK ON LINK TO ACCESS VIDEO AND RESOURCES HERE à https://view.pagetiger.com/july1/1

Please share the message of the month information with your staff team and also with your parents/families. We will be sharing more tips and advice linked to the message of the month on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Please also note that free training for parents or anyone working with children between 0 and 6 years old is available and can be booked below. (July dates available, keep an eye on the HKT Facebook page for Aug/Sept dates). ‘Basic Awareness’ around speech, language & communication is the first session and Level 1 is a next steps session looking at speech & language milestones, referring a child to Speech Therapy and tips for supporting children with difficulties in the home or their setting:

https://view.pagetiger.com/basic-awareness-webinar-training-dates/help-kids-talk-training