It is always a challenge to collect the right amount of blood to meet patient’s needs over the festive period, so with Christmas falling on a weekend this year and creating an extended bank holiday, it needs some careful planning. From 23rd December there has to be a steady supply of all blood groups to treat many types of conditions. As we head into the cold winter months, blood stocks tend to decrease as people stay indoors and are distracted by the festivities over Christmas and the New Year. Although this time is precious, NHS Blood & Transplant is urging more people to donate.

Made in Britain, a not for profit organisation supporting British manufacturing has launched a new initiative, #1000Makers, to find and recruit a further 500 British manufacturers by December 2015.

The #1000Makers campaign will target British manufacturers from all fields, from independent businesses to multi-national corporations. It will also include clothing manufacture in the fields of menswear, womenswear and childrenswear.

The first orthopaedic framework agreement in the health service has been established by the NHS’s cross-hub group, the Collaborative Procurement Partnership.

The number of new cases of Ebola in Sierra Leone has jumped dramatically, putting paid to any hopes that the infection rate is slowing.

Official figures released by the minister of health and sanitation show there were 111 new cases registered on Sunday, the highest daily rate since the ministry started publishing figures in August.

The figures come days after warnings by the UN that Ebola cases in Sierra Leone are being underreported by up to 50%.

The National Apprenticeship Service, in partnership with 20 local colleges and training providers, is challenging local businesses to increase the number of Apprenticeships in Yorkshire and Humber over the next 100 days.

The ‘100 Days Apprenticeship Challenge’, launched on 31st March 2014 is encouraging as many employers as possible to get involved before 8th July 2014.

The National Apprenticeship Service is the driving force behind this regional campaign and is delighted to have the support of many local partners.

The Sochi 2014 Olympic Games sees Great Britain send one of its largest ever teams, with athletes from Yorkshire at the heart of the nation’s medal challenge. Eleven athletes from Yorkshire are amongst the squad of 56 which are representing Team GB in Sochi this month.

From Thirsk in the north to Sheffield in the south, the White Rose County will be represented by snowboarders, free skiers and biathletes in the Black Sea Resort in Russia from 7th February.

Yorkshire’s Olympians are:

Freeski

The Month of March sees the people of Sheffield take part in “The Great Pie & Peas Up”, in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.

Events are being hosted in homes, workplaces and communities in an effort to raise much needed funds for a new In Patient Unit. This facility is urgently needed to provide the best possible specialist care for Sheffield people who have life limiting illnesses.

2013 marks the centenary of Harry Brearley’s invention of Stainless Steel. This development revolutionised the modern world, and put Sheffield on the map as the “Great Industrial Powerhouse”.

Sheffield is famous around the world for its contributions to the steel industry, and now celebrates by hosting a series of events to mark the anniversary.

Exhibitions and events confirmed as part of the 100 Years of Stainless Steel programme so far include:

Business Secretary Vince Cable has recently visited the Science Museum in London, opening the Make it in Great Britain Exhibition which takes place for six weeks during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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