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News
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16 January 2019
Atrial Fibrillation: We All Need To Know About It
Leading local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS), has called on the public to educate themselves about the most common form of irregular heart rhythm – Atrial Fibrillation and also the hugely increased risk of stroke associated with it. “Atrial fibrillation or AF, is a heart condition that causes an irregular and […]
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03 December 2018
Purchase Your Magical Reindeer Food To Support Local Families
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke’s youngest ambassador, 5 year old Joe Degnan from Larne, is encouraging families across Northern Ireland to visit their local MACE store to purchase a sachet of magical reindeer food. The magical sachet will help guide Santa and his reindeer to your home this Christmas Eve. Like over 200 babies […]
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30 November 2018
New Research Supports Heart Failure Families
Local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke is funding a unique research project which is hoping to provide vital support for families affected by heart failure, in particular for loved ones who may be thrust overnight into a carer’s role. Heart failure is becoming more common largely due to people living longer and […]
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21 November 2018
We are failing our children – Health charity
“Two thirds of school children in Northern Ireland have a weight problem and we need to act. Parents and government need to do much, much more. Otherwise many of today’s children may be plagued with health issues in later life.” That was the stark message from Neil Johnston from Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke […]
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21 November 2018
Happy ‘Breath’-Day Paddy!
Belfast man, Paddy Lynas, is enjoying a double celebration on World COPD Day. The father of two celebrated his 70th birthday on 11th November and is also celebrating the amazing fact that his health is now better at 70 than when he was first diagnosed with a respiratory condition, 8 years ago. Paddy explains just […]
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20 November 2018
New Respiratory Support Model Launched In Western Trust
Breathing Better, a new model for supporting people with the devastating lung condition Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD), has been launched in the Western Trust at the Omagh Leisure Complex. The roll out of Breathing Better in Omagh, Enniskillen, Rouskey and Castlederg has been completed in advance of World COPD Day, 21st November 2018, and […]
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23 November 2018
Santa Claus Adds Local Charity Gift Vouchers To Christmas List
Santa Claus has been around long enough to know the saying “Health is Wealth”. This Christmas he has interrupted his busy schedule to find out how local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, is encouraging people to invest in their loved ones’ health by gifting them a Well Check Plus gift voucher. […]
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15 November 2018
NICHS Charity Partner Goes JAM Card Friendly
P&O Ferries has announced it is a JAM Card friendly business. The Just a Minute (JAM) Card is a pioneering initiative developed by the NOW Group, a social enterprise supporting people with learning difficulties and autism. It provides holders with the means of telling others in a simple, effective, non-verbal and discreet way […]
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07 November 2018
Local Health Charity Users Learn About The Dangers Of Online Scams
Local charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke is working in partnership with the Ulster Bank to inform people who attend their support groups of the prevalence of online scams. The charity has a network of support groups across Northern Ireland where individuals with chest, heart and stroke conditions meet regularly for support and guidance. […]
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29 October 2018
Local Charity Announces Expansion of Services to Mark World Stroke Day
To mark World Stroke Day, on Monday 29th October, local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has announced the expansion of its stroke services over the next five years. The charity has pledged to double the number of stroke survivors and carers it supports across Northern Ireland by 2023 by expanding its existing […]
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22 October 2018
UK Quality First For Local Health Charity
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) has become the first organisation in the UK to be accredited with the QISMET (Quality Institute for Self-Management Education & Training) Stepping Stones to Quality (SS2Q) Standard 2017. The leading local health charity has received the accreditation for its Taking Control Self-Management Programme. Respiratory Services Project Co-ordinator, Pauline […]
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05 October 2018
Local Health Charity Leads The Fight Against Stress At Work
A leading local health charity has responded to recent reports from the TUC and NISRA on workplace stress. Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has developed its Well Mind programme to provide participants with an understanding of stress and the management of its triggers. According toa new TUC survey of trade union health and safety […]
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19 September 2018
Health Charity Teaches Med Students About Life With Chest Conditions
Local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has taken part in a joint initiative with Queen’s University Belfast where third year medical students meet respiratory patients in the community. The aim of the Student Selected Component, as these sessions are known, is to allow the doctors of the future to gain an insight […]
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03 September 2018
5000 People Waiting Over 6 Months For Heart Test
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has called on the Department of Health to draw up a plan to address what is calls the ‘scandal’ of the waiting lists for electrocardiogram (Echo) tests. “An Echocardiogram, or “echo”, is a scan used to look at the heart and nearby blood vessels. It’s a type of ultrasound […]
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22 August 2018
Undertones Drummer Listens To The Beat
Billy Doherty, drummer with The Undertones, has spent years listening to the beat of the music. But since having a heart attack and stroke at the end of 2017, he now also pays attention to the beat of his heart and is joining local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke in raising awareness […]
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25 July 2018
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke helps P&O Ferries Staff Get Ship Shape
Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) has launched a mutually beneficial partnership with the employees of P&O Ferries at their Larne Port location. Over 70 staff at the port are now taking part in the charity’s Well Team programme that involves an array of activities and events focused on improving employees’ health and wellbeing. […]
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20 July 2018
LOCAL CHARITY ASKS FAMILIES TO WEAR PYJAMAS IN PUBLIC!
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke is calling on local families to wear their pyjamas in public for a very special cause – to help the thousands of families across Northern Ireland who have been affected by chest, heart and stroke illnesses. The local charity is holding its second annual Wake Up! Pyjama Walk, sponsored […]
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19 July 2018
READY SET SUMMER! Kids Encouraged to Get Active This Summer
Local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke is partnering with MACE and launching this summer’s Ready Set Summer campaign. The campaign, now in its second year, aims to encourage kids to have fun and get active over the summer holidays. The free ‘Ready Set Summer’ packs, which are available from selected MACE […]
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10 July 2018
CHARITY LAUNCHES RECIPE BOOK FOR THOSE IN HOMELESS ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
Local charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has launched a new recipe book designed to teach residents of homeless hostels how they can incorporate more fruit and vegetables into their diet. The recipes have been developed along with residents and the child support worker of homelessness charity Depaul’s Mater Dei hostel for families in […]
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31 May 2018
TOBACCO BREAKS HEARTS
Northern Ireland’s leading health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS), welcomes this year’s World No Tobacco Day’s focus on tobacco and heart disease. Said Neil Johnston the charity’s Public Affairs Adviser, “Tobacco use is an important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease and stroke. This is often overlooked. People […]
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30 April 2018
LACK OF GOVERNMENT BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH
The absence of a NI Executive is delaying legislation that could cut the damage caused by alcohol abuse according to leading health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke. Speaking on the day that Minimum Unit Pricing comes into effect in Scotland, Neil Johnston NICHS’ Public Affairs Adviser commented: “Introducing a Minimum Unit Price of […]
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19 February 2018
THE SCANDAL OF PATIENTS AT HIGH RISK OF STROKE BEING LEFT UNTREATED
The scandal of patients at high risk of stroke being left untreated Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has called for urgent action to treat a group of patients who are five times more likely to have a stroke. “Many patients who have been identified as having a type of irregular heartbeat known as Atrial […]
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15 November 2017
TIME FOR NI TO ACT ON ALCOHOL
Supreme Court rejects Court action against Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol NICHS has welcomed the rejection of the legal action by the Scotch Whisky Association at the Supreme Court in London. The Scotch Whisky Association has sought to stop the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing legislation by the Scottish Parliament. “We welcome this decision, look […]
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04 October 2017
MORE ACTION ON SMOKING REQUIRED
Northern Ireland’s leading health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has called on the Department of Health to review the actions it is taking to combat smoking. “Much has been achieved but sadly the numbers of smokers in Northern Ireland remains stubbornly high – particularly in the less well off parts of Northern Ireland. […]
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12 September 2017
PUBLIC MEETINGS TO BE HELD ON FUTURE OF STROKE SERVICES
On behalf of Health and Social Care (HSC), leading health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) is inviting people from across the Northern Ireland to a series of public meetings on reshaping stroke services in Northern Ireland. The public meetings, facilitated by the charity, is part of the 13-week pre-consultation on reshaping stroke [...]
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28 June 2017
READY SET SUMMER! Kids Encouraged to Active This Summer
A new campaign by Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke is encouraging kids to have fun and get active over the summer holidays. As part of the campaign called ‘Ready Set Summer’, which is sponsored by MACE, special packs are being made available to teachers, parents and childminders packed full of fun stuff for 7 [...] -
20 June 2017
NICHS hails health conscious Balmoral Show visitors
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke have revealed that people were more aware of the importance of knowing their blood pressure at this year’s Balmoral Show in May. The charity found that more visitors to the show were proactively asking for their blood pressure to be checked. Many people were returning to the charity’s stand [...] -
17 June 2017
PROFESSOR VARMA AWARDED OBE IN RECOGNITION OF CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTH IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke is delighted to learn that its Chairman Professor Mahendra Varma has been included in the birthday Honours List. The award was made in recognition of Professor Varma’s unwavering commitment to improving health and social care in Northern Ireland throughout his distinguished career. His many achievements have included: Pioneering the […]
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13 June 2017
Plenty of room for improvement on Stroke Services
Leading local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has welcomed the beginning of a conversation on the review of how Stroke Services are organised in Northern Ireland. “We welcome the opportunity for the public and people with experience of stroke getting involved in conversations on how things can be improved.” Said Neil [...] -
17 April 2017
MACE PUT THEIR HEART INTO FUNDRAISING ALMOST £40K TO HELP 1500 SURVIVORS OF CHEST, HEART AND STROKE ILLNESSES.
Mace, part of the Musgrave Retail Group; has donated a total of £39k to leading local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) in the first year of a three year partnership. The funds were raised by Mace retailers regionally, along with Musgrave head office staff, taking part in a variety of activities [...]
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10 April 2017
RESEARCH: STRESS AFFECTS TWO THIRDS OF NI POPULATION
NI charity launches video series in bid to tackle stress Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke today (10 April 2017) launched a series of videos aimed at equipping people with the tools to tackle stress as part of the charity’s local ‘Give Stress a Rest’ campaign. Six videos, each showcasing a different stress management technique, [...] -
31 March 2017
Talented Tyrone sisters sing in memory of their mum
On the Tuesday 9th May 2017, Mullaslin trio, the Ward Sisters, will join a host of country music stars from Ireland and beyond to perform at Armagh City Hotel for a fabulous night of music and entertainment in aid of Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke. However, for these talented sisters and their family, their [...] -
01 March 2017
Holiday World Show visitors referred to GPs
One third of people who had their blood pressure measured at the recent Holiday World Show in Belfast had to be referred to their GPs. Local charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke, measured 445 people’s blood pressure at January’s show, and found that one third had high readings. They were then advised to make [...] -
22 February 2017
Cheap alcohol causing huge harm
Local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, has called for action on the sale of very cheap alcohol and has welcomed recent opinion polling showing nearly two thirds of people in Northern Ireland support taking action. “Opinion polling carried out by Millward Brown shows that 65% of people in Northern Ireland support the [...] -
14 February 2017
Go over to the Dark Side this Valentine’s Day!
A local health charity and researchers from Queen’s University Belfast are telling people to give dark chocolate to their loved ones this Valentine’s Day to improve their heart health. Professor Jayne Woodside from QUB, who was part of the research team, explained. “Our study showed that if you eat a fruit and vegetable-rich diet, including [...]
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04 January 2017
O’Neill must commit to help smokers
Leading local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has called on the Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill to make a New Year’s Resolution on behalf of the NI Executive to re-double the efforts to help smokers quit. “Sadly the number of smokers in Northern Ireland has remained at 22% - around 1 in 5 [...] -
13 November 2016
Local health charity’s new Support Service for Stroke Survivors
A Post Rehab Exercise Programme for stroke survivors, which was launched by Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) in Coleraine in August, is making a difference to stroke survivors across the Triangle area and beyond. The programme, known as PREP, aims to help people regain their confidence and independence after a stroke. It was [...] -
25 October 2016
Looking forward to stroke services decisions in 2017
The leading local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has welcomed the news that decisions will be made on Stroke Services in the New Year. Public Affairs Adviser, Neil Johnston welcomed the report: “We all want the best possible health care for all patients in Northern Ireland and the Health Minister’s response to [...] -
13 October 2016
HALF OF US ARE STRESSED OUT – Research Reveals 49% of the Working Age Population are Highly Stressed
Research carried out by a local charity has revealed that two fifths of people in Northern Ireland regularly feel stressed out with almost half of 35-64 year olds reporting “considerable levels of stress on a regular basis”. The survey*, commissioned by Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, revealed that across all age groups, 39% of [...] -
11 October 2016
Local Charity and Business “Team Up” to improve Employees’ Health
Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) have launched their new workplace health programme, Well Team, in partnership with the Public Health Agency. Well Team supports businesses to identify health risks and create an action plan and strategy to improve employees’ health and wellbeing. The programme will be running from June 2016 until June 2019 [...]
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10 October 2016
82% back call to use Sugar Levy to help children
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke has welcomed the fact that the Assembly is to debate a call to boost children’s health. “We very much support the idea that the money raised by the sugar levy should be used to boost the opportunities for PE in primary schools and make our primary school kids aware [...] -
18 August 2016
Charity calls for ‘sugar tax’ revenue to be used to tackle childhood obesity
A local health charity has welcomed the confirmation that the ‘sugar tax’ will go ahead and has called on local politicians to ring-fence the money to tackle childhood obesity. Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke carried out an opinion poll in May 2016 which showed that 82% of the public agreed that the NI Executive [...] -
26 July 2016
LOCAL MLA SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITY’S CAMPAIGN TO AVOID HEART DISEASE
An MLA, who underwent heart surgery a year ago, is joining local charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke in urging others to look out for the symptoms of heart disease. Cathal Boylan MLA for Newry and Armagh underwent a quadruple bypass in June 2015 and now says that he is one of the lucky [...] -
30 June 2016
LOCAL HEALTH CHARITY HAILS HEALTH OF BALMORAL SHOW VISITORS
A local health charity has revealed that the results of blood pressure checks it carried out at the Balmoral Show in May were better than at the Holiday World Show in January. Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke measured 911 people’s blood pressures over the three days of the Balmoral Show at their stand in […]
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31 May 2016
Inspirational young mum takes on walking challenge just 3 years after surviving stroke.
Stroke survivor, Laura Caughey from Banbridge is taking on 13 miles at Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s 70th Anniversary Mourne Way Challenge Walk this June. Laura explained, “I decided to take part in the Mourne Way Challenge Walk because NICHS is a charity which is very close to my heart. I suffered a stroke […]
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26 May 2016
Public backs call to tackle obesity in school children
A local health charity has welcomed public backing for the proposal that the revenue from the ‘sugar tax’ should be used to tackle obesity in schools. Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke carried out an opinion poll which showed that 82% of the public agreed that the NI Executive should ring-fence this money to tackle […]
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22 March 2016
CHARITY WELCOMES SUGAR TAX
A leading health charity has welcomed Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement of a sugar tax in 2018, a major step in the right direction to tackle the rising levels of obesity in Northern Ireland. “We are delighted that the Chancellor has introduced this sugar tax but this tax must be part of a wider plan to [...] -
10 March 2016
CHARITY WELCOMES SMOKE-FREE HOSPITALS
A leading health charity has welcomed a ban on smoking on all hospital grounds across Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke says it will protect people – particularly those with chest illnesses – from having to endure a fog of poisonous cigarette fumes at hospital entrances, where smokers, including patients, often gather. Fidelma [...] -
15 January 2016
Local health charity marks start of 70th year at Holiday World Show
NICHS offers free blood pressure checks at Holiday World Show.
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10 December 2015
Chairman praises former Chief Exec’s contribution
NICHS Chairman Prof MPS Varma thanks Andrew Dougal, recently retired Chief Executive.
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02 December 2015
Health Charity praises Health Minister
NICHS have welcomed the introduction of a Bill to outlaw the sale of E cigarettes to under 18s.
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03 November 2015
Heart Attack Survivor, Sean McLaughlin from Downpatrick, Shares 1st Anniversary Story in support of Charity Heart Research.
Please see below Heart Attack Survivor, Sean McLaughlin from Downpatrick, Shares 1st Anniversary Story in support of Charity Heart Research. He was in a boxing ring fighting when he took a heart attack at just 43, his heart stopped for 5 minutes and he almost left his three daughters and wife behind. Triple bypass, and [...] -
29 October 2015
CLODAGH PREPARES FOR FUTURE AFTER SEVERE STROKE
Just months ago, Clodagh Dunlop was unable to move or speak after suffering a massive stroke.
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26 October 2015
NICHS backs local research which could mean that HEART PROBLEMS “COULD BE SPOTTED AT THE OPTICIANS”.
In NI last year 2,385 people lost their lives to heart disease in Northern Ireland.
NICHS hails health conscious Balmoral Show visitors
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke have revealed that people were more aware of the importance of knowing their blood pressure at this year’s Balmoral Show in May.
The charity found that more visitors to the show were proactively asking for their blood pressure to be checked. Many people were returning to the charity’s stand for the second or third year in a row for their “annual” check.
Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke measured 1081 people’s blood pressures over the four days of the Balmoral Show at their stand in the Eikon Exhibition Centre, an increase of 20% compared to 911 blood pressures at last year’s show. There was a 50:50 split between men and women. 18% were under 40, 45% were between 40 and 60, and 37% were over 60. The average age of those who had their blood pressure taken was 53.
27% of the people measured had a high blood pressure reading, which is a measurement above 140/90. Anyone whose blood pressure was showing a high measurement was given information on what changes could be made to lower it and advised to go to their GP.
The charity’s Director of Public Health, Fidelma Carter, said, “Many visitors to the Balmoral Show work in agriculture and tend to be very busy on the farm all year round, and so a visit to the GP for a simple blood pressure check may not always be a priority. So it’s wonderful to see more and more people taking an interest in their heart health and approaching our stand.”
For more information about how to keep healthy, visit www.nichs.org.uk/choosetobehealthy.
