The Health and Social Care Board and Public Health Agency have developed a draft plan for volunteering in health and social care. Volunteering has always played a significant role in the delivery of health and social care in Northern Ireland. Volunteers add value to the work of paid staff by providing befriending, meeting and greeting, transport, chaplaincy, meal time support, breastfeeding support and many other roles.

To coincide with the start of National Obesity Awareness Week, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is today urging people to take up the challenge ‘From Couch Potato to Runner Bean in 10 weeks’. The PHA, in partnership with five local councils in the western area, will roll out a number of community obesity challenges and programmes between now and March.

The NILS is a large-scale record linkage study of approximately 500,000 people that was created by linking statistical and administrative data sources. The NILS previously included the 2001 Census returns, demographic and migration events, and vital events (births and deaths)...and as of December 2013 now also includes 2011 Census data.

Another spell of unsettled weather is expected on Friday with further wet and windy conditions likely across Northern Ireland throughout the weekend. During adverse weather some areas may experience flooding, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people of the potential public health risks associated with flooding.

With the holiday season in full swing, minds will soon be turning to New Year’s resolutions, and once again quitting smoking will be at the top of many people’s ‘to do’ list when the clock strikes midnight on 31 December. With this in mind, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging smokers to make a plan, think about what steps they are going to take to stay off tobacco for good, and to seek practical support and advice from a free ‘Stop Smoking Service’.

With the holiday season in full swing, most of us will be waiting with anticipation to see what Santa might bring. Sadly though, there are many people who can't wait. Their must-have gift is something far more vital than the latest gadget or toy – it's a life-changing organ.

Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith, New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK, visited the TF3 Telemonitoring NI centre in Holywood to see first-hand the fantastic support being offered to people who live with long-term conditions across Northern Ireland. The visit was part of a programme of activities which had been organised to showcase Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.