In this episode we catch up with Consultant Paediatrician Dr Shilpa Shah and Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Colm Darby to discuss vaccinations in premature babies. 

For this episode we are joined with some of our IPC team who have some great advise on wearing PPE. 

We all know that stopping smoking improves your physical health. But it's also proven to boost your mental health and wellbeing: it can improve mood and help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.

In the Southern Trust, we are delighted that we are the only Trust in Northern Ireland to have a dedicated Mental Health Stop Smoking Specialist Nurse and Diane joins us today to discuss the benefits of quitting smoking on mental health and well-being. 

Dr Damian Gormley speaks to Southpod about the real time data which helps us make decisions about services during the Pandemic 

 Want to watch the interview? Visit https://youtu.be/YLiDPMv_EyY   

Did you know you’re up to 4 times more likely to stop smoking for good if you use a combination of stop smoking treatment and receive support from one of our Stop Smoking Specialists?

Our stop smoking service is provided by specialist advisers who use a range of proven methods to help you quit smoking. They will support you to develop a tailored quit plan based on why you smoke and why you want to quit. They will give you accurate information and advice including details of NHS approved treatments to help you quit. They will also provide follow on support during the first few months of you stopping smoking.

Quitting smoking can make a huge improvement to your health, energy levels, life expectancy and protects your home and loved ones from harmful effects of tobacco smoke.

As COVID-19 is a new disease we still have much to learn about how our immune system responds to it. We don’t know how long an antibody response lasts or whether having antibodies means you cannot be re-infected or transmit the virus to others. Trust staff are involved in a major national study which will help us answer some of these questions.

The first of the COVID-19 vaccines is already being rolled out to priority groups across Northern Ireland. Dr Tracey Boyce speaks to Southpod about how this may be the light at the end of the tunnel we’ve all been waiting for. 

Our very own Joe and Karen Walker – the Trust’s top peer vaccinators. 
In this episode they tell us why they’ll be front of the queue for the COVID-19 vaccine. 

With so much misinformation out there about vaccines it’s vital that we all have the facts about immunisation. 
Dr Shilpa Shah speaks to Southpod to dispel some common vaccine myths.

Figures from the PHA estimate that approximately 1130 people are living with HIV and receiving care in Northern Ireland.  Mal is one of those people. 
He shares his own story highlighting the progress that has been made, the need to continue education and awareness, and the role of healthcare professionals in championing change and challenging stigma.