Latest news with #Sisk
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
East Cork venue to launch shuttle bus service to address ‘lack of rural transport at night'
The 'Sea Church Express' will collect gig-goers from the Titanic Experience in Cobh and Midleton Railway Station and drop them off in Ballycotton approximately 90 minutes before events start at the venue. The service will operate 30 minutes after events end at Sea Church, returning passengers to Cobh and Midleton. Matthew Sisk, events manager at Sea Church, told The Corkman that alleviating customers' need to drive to the venue was the 'catalyst' for the Sea Church Express. 'Because we are an intimate venue, we would get maximum 200 people in there, about 50 of those people are designated drivers, so we thought of tackling that by getting a shuffle service going,' Mr Sisk said. 'A lot of couples would not bother going out if only one of them is able to drink, and if you're coming from Cobh, you're probably spending €40 for a taxi one-way.' The Sea Church Express return journeys will cost €20 per person regardless of pick-up location. Oliver Falter, general manager of Flynn Cush Hospitality Group Ltd which runs establishments in Ballycotton said the new bus service will help to address 'the lack of rural transport at night'. 'It means that gig-goers can come to Ballycotton with the peace of mind of knowing they will be brought safely back to Cobh and Midleton,' he said. The service will make its debut voyage for the Flashdance 80s vs 90s Disco event on July 11. For more details and to book a place on the bus service as part of a gig experience, visit
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Great Falls Hospital introduces new technology available in diagnosing lung cancer
Great Falls Hospital unveiled a new diagnostic tool on Tuesday that is now available to patients in northcentral Montana for the first time. The Ion, a robotic device from the medical company Intuitive that offers a new alternative in diagnosing lung cancers, is now in use at the hospital's pulmonary department. Great Falls Hospital is the first medical center in the area to use the Ion robot and third in Montana along with facilities in Billings and Kalispell. Intuitive bills the Ion as a device that offers a minimally invasive procedure that can also help provide earlier detection of lung cancers. If a patient has nodules in the lungs that show up on a CT scan, the Ion can take the scan and creates a 'Google Maps' of sorts of the lungs and can show the pulmonologist the direct path to the growth. The Ion uses a 2-millimeter catheter that is inserted into the lungs via the patient's throat, said Dr. Megan Sisk, one of two pulmonologists at Great Falls Hospital trained on the robot, along with Dr. John Mazur. The technology has been on the market since 2019, according to Intuitive's Katie Bosler. A camera is then inserted into the tube that is attached to the Ion's robotic arm. The pulmonologist controls the camera's path through the line with two wheel-like controls, with one guiding the path forward and the other vertical and horizontal movement. A blue line guides the doctor through the lung's airways directly to the nodule, at which point the camera is removed and replaced with a biopsy tool to collect a sample. 'Before (using the Ion), you couldn't get to a nodule this far out,' Sisk said. 'The previous technology, you could only get a third or half of the way there because you didn't have anything to reach further. The airways are small, and this catheter is so soft and flexible, we're able to navigate out further and deeper than we've ever been able to.' Prior to this form of bronchoscopy, the diagnostic method for lung growths was a 'CT-guided needle biopsy,' which involved inserting a large needle through the ribs into the outer layer of the lung, said Sam Baker of Intuitive. Patients had a 25% chance of having a popped lung or some other complication with a needle biopsy that would require hospitalization, according to Baker, while the risk of further complications with the Ion procedure is 2 to 4%. The patient undergoes anesthesia for the procedure, which takes around 30 to 60 minutes to complete, Sisk said. The hospital has already seen a handful of patients for the Ion bronchoscopy over the past month since it has been in operation. Great Falls Hospital CEO Mark Robinson said the technology has already paid dividends in early detection of lung cancer in patients. 'After (Sisk's) first few cases, she sent me a text and she goes, 'We've got two stage ones, both of which otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get to without this technology,'' Robinson said. 'We said to ourselves, 'What an investment in people here, what an investment in being able to stage cancers earlier and give people years of their life back because we can treat and/or cure through identifying, diagnosing, and then finding the curative path.'' Sisk said in earlier methods of lung biopsies, it could take as long as 12 weeks to reach a diagnosis and as many as 20 weeks between procedure and the start of treatment. She said that with the Ion technology, she is able to get referrals in about a week after the initial consultation for the procedure. Survival rates decrease by 13% every six weeks in lung cancer patients, and the five-year survival rate for the most common lung cancer is 28%, according to statistics from Great Falls Hospital. Evidence of kidney, breast and skin cancers can also be found in the lungs, Sisk said. Robinson said the hospital is proud to offer the procedure to Great Falls and the surrounding communities, significantly cutting down the travel for potential patients who would have otherwise had to drive hundreds of miles to have it available. 'You think about in Montana, think about the seasons,' Robinson said. 'How hard is it is to get to certain places when you're in Great Falls…It's hard to get to Kalispell in the winter. It's hard to get to Billings in poor conditions. We're super happy with hopefully giving patients the access they need and deserve, right here in Great Falls, with this high level of acuity that they otherwise wouldn't get in a small community that they're coming from.' This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls Hospital offers new technology for early cancer detection
Irish Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Sisk begins construction work on Great Ormond Street children's cancer centre
CONSTRUCTION work has begun on a new children's cancer centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Irish-headquartered John Sisk & Son (Sisk) are the main contractors for the project, which will start with four months spent demolishing the existing cancer centre. Following this excavation and works on the basement will begin, before moving 'onwards and upwards until the world-leading new centre is complete' a Sisk spokesperson confirmed. A ground-breaking event was held at the site in central London as works got underway on June 4. Ger Hayes, Sisk's Managing Director for UK South, said it marked a 'huge milestone' in the project, which has been 'six years in the making'. 'Now we transfer from the pre-contract phase into the construction phase,' he explained. The construction phase of the GOSH Children's Cancer Centre project has now begun 'We are going to really move on to the exciting bit now, which is pushing on with the demolition and the construction of the brand new state of the art cancer care centre at GOSH.' The construction phase is expected to take four years and will be undertaken while day to day life at the hospital continues. 'This is a complex build in a complex environment, working and operating within an operational hospital,' Gary Beacham, Children's Cancer Centre Delivery Director at GOSH, confirmed. Once completed the new centre will increase their cancer centre capacity by 20 per cent. It will also feature digitally advanced inpatient wards and a new hospital school. 'The thing that has got everybody behind this job is what it will be at the end,' Mr hayes explained. 'When you walk around this place and you see some of the sickest kids and families and the toll it takes on them, if we can build something that will make that better it will make it better for the clinicians it will make it better for the families, it will make it better for everybody. 'And that is the ultimate aim, that in four years' time we will be back here celebrating that.' Steven McGee, who is Sisk's Chief Operating Officer for Ireland and UK, outlined where the project is at currently. 'Weve done the soft strip, we are about to start the demotion followed by the basement box frame façade,' he said. 'So it's a four-year journey and at the end it will be a world class children's cancer care unit that will leave a lasting legacy, not just in London but in our business.' GOSH has launched the Build It. Beat It. fundraising appeal to help fund the project. At the ground-breaking event, hospital staff were joined by principal donor, John Grayken and long-time GOSH Charity supporters the Said family as well Public Health and Prevention Minister Ashley Dalton. The appeal is aiming to raise £300m to help build the Children's Cancer Centre. 'The Children's Cancer Centre will make a difference to every child who comes to GOSH, and particularly, it will help us advance how we care and treat children who have rare and complex cancers,' Mat Shaw, Great Ormond Street Hospital Chief Executive, said at the event. 'A massive thank you to everyone who is supporting the Build It. Beat It. appeal – we couldn't do this without you," he added. Mr Dalton said he hospital is a "symbol of what we can achieve when we combine the excellence of our NHS people, innovative technologies, ground-breaking treatment and world-class research". 'As someone living with cancer myself, I know how terrifying a diagnosis can be - and when it happens to our children, that's unimaginable," he added. 'These families deserve a government that's backing them every step of the way, which is why we've relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce and will ensure children's cancer is at the forefront of our Plan for Change." GOSH and Sisk are "working hard to limit the impacts of the development on the local community and families who are coming to the hospital", they confirmed this week. Sisk are using a range of different methods for the works to limit dust, noise and vibrations during the build. See More: Children's Cancer Centre, Construction, GOSH, Sisk
Irish Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
New bridge linking Clare and Tipperary will ‘improve life' for residents
A NEW bridge linking counties Clare and Tipperary is set to bring beneftis to residents in both counties. Sisk have completed work on the Killaloe Bypass, which was formally opened by Ireland's Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien this week. The bridge, known as the Brian Ború Bridge, took the Irish construction firm two and a half years to complete. Located in the twin towns of Killaloe in Co. Clare and in Ballina, Co. Tipperary, on opposite sides of the River Shannon, it is the first new vehicular bridge to be built across the river in more than three decades. It is part of an €88m package of works carried out by Sisk which is expected to 'greatly improve the quality of life" for residents of both towns. The alternative route will take through traffic and HGVs out of both town centres, which will 'reduce congestion, protect both heritage areas, and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy and the region's tourism sector' according to Sisk. 'Sisk is delighted to have completed this vital new infrastructure improvement project which is a significant upgrade to the current roads network in both County Clare and County Tipperary,' Steven McGee, Sisk's Chief Operating Officer for Ireland and UK, said. 'Connectivity has been enhanced through the construction of the western bypass for Killaloe/Ballina, a new bridge crossing over the River Shannon, and the upgrade of the existing R494 regional road,' he added. 'This project is an excellent example of real collaboration between our client, site team, plus our in-house engineering services team and key supply chain partners.' Minister O'Brien said the 'transformative road project' will 'strengthen the connection between communities in Clare and Tipperary'. 'With approximately €88m million in funding allocated by my department, this represents a significant Government investment in regional infrastructure and underscores our ongoing commitment to investing in and modernising Ireland's road network,' he said. 'Road safety remains a key priority in all our infrastructure projects,' he added. 'The completion of the Killaloe Bypass will significantly enhance safety and efficiency for all road users. 'The inclusion of dedicated pedestrian and cycling facilities not only improves safety but also encourages more sustainable, active travel along this vital corridor.' Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Alan O'Callaghan says the 'need' for the bridge has been evident for 'many years'. 'Congestion on both sides of the river led to long tailbacks causing significant pollution and poor air quality from standing traffic,' he explained. 'The daily frustration from 7,000 vehicles a day crossing the old single lane bridge cannot be overestimated, with road safety also an issue due to the lack of segregation between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. 'But today all that will change. From this evening tail backs will hopefully be a thing of the past, and journey times will be significantly reduced, enhancing connectivity and convenience for all.' Councillor Declan Burgess, the Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, said the bridge's opening was an 'historic day for the people of Ballina and Killaloe'. 'There can be no stronger symbol of the connection between the twin towns than Brian Boru, celebrated equally on both sides of the river,' he explained. 'The finished scheme will remove traffic from the towns and allow them to fulfil their potential for both the existing residents and the many tourists that will be attracted to the area. 'This is a proud day for all of the people of Clare and Tipperary, and the twin towns can look forward to a bright future together.'
Irish Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Sisk awarded £38m contract to bolster flood defences in Derby
SISK has been awarded a major contract to bolster flood defences in Derby city. Derby City Council has awarded the £38m contract to John Sisk & Son (Sisk) to improve the city's flood resilience and provide better protection for homes located along the River Derwent. 'This package of works, known as Derby Riverside, will provide significant flood resilience protection to many properties along the left (east) bank of the Derwent from Causey Bridge to Derwent Bridge,' the council explained. Sisk has been awarded a lucratvie contract to reinforce Derby city's flood defences (Pic: Sisk) Irish-founded and headquartered Sisk will be responsible for delivering a new flood wall and floodgates that will offer enhanced protection for Exeter House and properties on Meadow Road and Meadow Lane in the city centre. They will also carry out demolition of the riverside office blocks on Stuart Street to create a new riverside green area, which will provide more space for flood water to pass through the city in a controlled corridor. Demolition and construction began this month, Sisk have confirmed. 'We're delighted to be working with Derby City Council on this phase of the Our City, Our River programme,' Alan Rodger, Managing Director at Sisk Infrastructure, said. 'We understand how vital this project is for further flood prevention and the regeneration of this area in the centre of the city,' he added. 'Our team of dedicated professionals will leverage the latest innovations and sustainability practices to help deliver this fantastic scheme, alongside social value projects in the local community." Derby Councillor Carmel Swan, who is the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said she was 'delighted that the contract is now signed with John Sisk and Sons to deliver the vital second phase of the Our City, Our River flood defence project'. 'These works are crucial as we continue to future proof the city against extreme weather and unlock the potential for regeneration along the river,' she explained. 'We can now look forward to seeing work begin on site in the near future.' David Turnbull, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager Derbyshire and Leicestershire for the Environment Agency, said: 'This contract award marks another step forward in making Derby more resilient to the threat of climate change. 'The Environment Agency are proud to be in partnership with Derby City Council for this journey, and we are delighted to see this complex but vital phase of the programme begin very soon.' See More: Construction, Derby, Flood Defences, Irish, Sisk
