AQW 44325/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any public health information programmes promoted by the Public Health Agency, in each of the last five years, including (i) the reason for undertaking the campaign; and (ii) a breakdown of any budget spent, including on the media used.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 20 April 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 20 April 2026
- Answer due by
- 6 May 2026
- Answered
- 25 June 202666 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The public health information programmes promoted by the Public Health Agency, the associated expenditure, and reasons for undertaking those campaigns, are set out in the table below.
| Campaign | Media (included in total campaign spend) | Total campaign spend 2025-26 | Reason for undertaking the campaign |
| Mental health/Lifeline | £ 290,000 | £350,000 | Promote the Lifeline crisis helpline and increase help-seeking behaviour among those experiencing emotional distress. |
| Flu | £49,641 | £69,652 | To encourage those eligible for the free flu vaccine to take up the offer and get vaccinated asap |
| Total | £419,652 | ||
| Campaign | Media (included in total campaign spend) | Total campaign spend 2024-25 | Reason for undertaking the campaign |
| Mental health/Lifeline | £79,248 | £99,617 | Promote the Lifeline crisis helpline and increase help-seeking behaviour among those experiencing emotional distress. |
| Flu | £12,936 | £19,923 | Encourage those eligible for the flu vaccine to to take up the offer and get vaccinated asap |
| Total | £119,540 | ||
| Campaign | Media (included in total campaign spend) | Total campaign spend 2023-24 | Reason for undertaking the campaign |
| MMR vaccination | £49,204 | £ 71,195 | Promote and encourage uptake of the MMR vaccine |
| Organ donation | £153,600 | £203,423 | Inform the public about the change in organ donation law and inform them of their options on organ donation and how to register a decision |
| Total | £274,618 | ||
| Campaign | Media (included in total campaign spend) | Total campaign spend 2022-23 | Reason for undertaking the campaign |
| COVID vaccine | £27,937 | £39,979 | Promote and encourage uptake of the COVID vaccine. |
| Sexual health | £179,009 | £262,777 | Increase awareness of the risks associated with unprotected sex and encourage the target audience to think about and take action to look after their sexual health. |
| Winter vaccines | £157,456 | £245,800 | Promote and encourage uptake of the flu and COVID vaccines |
| Organ donation | £355,857 | £599,119 | Inform the public about the change in organ donation law and inform them of their options on organ donation and how to register a decision |
| Mental health | £105,635 | £119,727 | Encourage openness and discussion in relation to mental health problems and encourage anyone experiencing difficulties to seek help. |
| Lifeline | £181,341 | £300,156 | Promote the Lifeline crisis helpline and increase help-seeking behaviour among those experiencing emotional distress. |
| FAST | £103,777 | £129,999 | Communicate the signs and symptoms of stroke, using the FAST acronym and treat a stroke as a medical emergency and call 999 immediately |
| Total | £1,697,557 | ||
| Campaign | Media (included in total campaign spend) | Total campaign spend 2021-22 | Reason for undertaking the campaign |
| COVID surge enhanced testing | NIL | £ 13,627 | Targeted mailout to homes in areas with COVID outbreaks to signpost to community vaccination pop-ups. |
| COVID vaccine (multiple campaigns) | £320,606 | £451,675 | Encourage those eligible for flu vaccination and the COVID booster vaccination to take up the offer of the vaccines when invited |
| Digital Self-Trace | £91,700 | £109,953 | Digital Contact Tracing (DCT) service - build awareness of and confidence in the service and encourage the public to make use of DCT if they test positive for COVID. |
| NIPs regs | £17,194 | £23,539 | Raise awareness of the new Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations and encourage public support and adherence. |
| Smoking regs | £78,178 | £149,003 | Raise awareness of the new Smoke-Free (Private Vehicles) regulations and encourage public support and adherence. |
| Winter vaccines | £118,044 | £186,848 | Encourage those eligible for flu vaccination and the COVID booster vaccination to take up the offer of the vaccines when invited. |
| FAST | £79,115 | £99,775 | Communicate the signs and symptoms of stroke, using the FAST acronym and treat a stroke as a medical emergency and call 999 immediately |
| Organ donation | £58,139 | £84,460 | Encourage the public to talk about their organ donation wishes with family and friends and increase registrations to the NHS Organ Donor Register. |
| Obesity | £131,469 | £148,644 | Raise awareness of the health risks of being overweight/obese (type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers) and encourage positive action to reduce weight among those who are overweight/obese. |
| Total | £1,267,524 |