Latest news with #NCH
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Diamond artisan poisons himself
Surat: A 45-year-old diamond artisan killed himself by ingesting poison on Thursday. Kapil Nimavat was found lying at the side of a road near Derod village in Kamrej taluka of Surat district. He died at New Civil Hospital (NCH). His brother, Mehul, told police that Nimavat had been facing a financial crisis due to his reduced earnings for the past few months, and this led him to end his his life. Nimavat left home to go to work on Thursday. In the afternoon, Nimavat called Mehul to tell him that he had poisoned himself. On reaching the spot, Mehul called an ambulance and took Kapil to a hospital in Kamrej. He was then shifted to NCH as his condition was critical. He was died at NCH on Thursday evening. Police registered an accidental death and began an investigation. "Nimavat was a diamond artisan and used to work at a unit in Kapodra. He had been earning more than Rs 25,000 a month, the minimum needed to run a family of four, but for the last few months his earnings had fallen to Rs 12,000," Mehul told TOI. "He was not getting enough polishing work. He did not discuss his financial crisis with me, his wife or friends as he did not discuss his problems. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo We knew he was under tremendous pressure," said Mehul, who rears cattle for a living. Police are yet to record the statements of other family members. Nimavat did not leave behind a suicide note. The state govt recently announced a support scheme for diamond artisans and small diamond units. Diamond artisans will get a year's school fees, up to Rs 13,500 per child, for their children. Unit owners will get relief in interest on loans and electricity electricity duty. The process to disburse the aid package is yet to begin.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
5 lessons from National Children's Hospital for future projects in Ireland
The National Children's Hospital (NCH) project stands as one of Ireland's most significant infrastructure undertakings - and one of its most instructive failures. Originally conceived as a state-of-the-art facility to consolidate paediatric services across Dublin, the project has instead become emblematic of systemic challenges plaguing Irish public infrastructure development. With costs spiralling beyond €2.2 billion and completion dates repeatedly deferred, the NCH offers invaluable lessons for future major infrastructure initiatives. This is even more relevant as the sector embarks on the development of the National Maternity Hospital and other critical public works. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, Dr Paul Davis from DCU assesses the latest delays to the Children's Hospital project These lessons extend far beyond mere cost overruns or construction delays. They illuminate fundamental weaknesses in how Ireland approaches large-scale public infrastructure, from initial conception through final delivery. Understanding these failures is crucial not only for avoiding repetition but for establishing a more robust framework for future development. Governance failures are the starting point for dysfunctional projects The most profound lesson from the NCH concerns governance architecture. Despite establishing multiple specialised committees and oversight bodies, the project suffered from fragmented decision-making structures that operated in relative isolation. This created what organisational theorists term "accountability gaps". These spaces where responsibility becomes diffused across multiple entities, resulted in effective accountability residing nowhere. The absence of a unified command structure proved particularly damaging. Various stakeholders - for example, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health, construction contractors and clinical staff - operated with competing priorities and insufficient coordination mechanisms. This fragmentation manifested in delayed responses to emerging challenges and led to inconsistent strategic direction throughout the project lifecycle. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, health economist Dr Brian Turner on the ongoing delays to the NCH project I believe that future infrastructure projects require centralised governance frameworks with clearly delineated authority structures. This means establishing single points of accountability for major decisions while maintaining appropriate checks and balances. The governance model must also ensure that oversight bodies possess both the expertise and authority to challenge assumptions and redirect project trajectories when necessary. Traditional management tools are not good enough The NCH project initially relied on conventional project management tools. These tools, primarily Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets, proved fundamentally inadequate for managing the complex, multi-billion-euro infrastructure development. The subsequent integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) demonstrated the transformative potential of advanced project management technologies, enabling more accurate cost estimation, enhanced design collaboration and sophisticated risk assessment capabilities. But technological adoption alone proves insufficient without corresponding organisational capacity. The effective utilisation of advanced project management systems requires comprehensive training programs, cultural adaptation within organisations and integration with existing operational frameworks. Future projects must prioritise technological infrastructure from initial planning phases rather than retrofitting solutions after problems emerge. From RTE Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, why is so expensive to construct medical facilities in Ireland? Real-time data analytics and integrated project delivery methods offer additional advantages, including enhanced stakeholder coordination, reduced operational redundancies, and streamlined workflow management. These technologies enable more responsive project management, allowing teams to identify and address challenges before they escalate into major disruptions. It became evident through multiple appearances at the Public Accounts Committee that this data was not begin collected nor used properly. Changing the script around procurement value and risk The NCH's initial procurement approach prioritised lowest-bid submissions. This reflected a narrow understanding of value that failed to account for broader project implications. This strategy systematically underestimated total project costs while overlooking significant risk factors that subsequently materialised as major challenges. Contemporary procurement theory emphasises value-based selection criteria that integrate price considerations with quality assessments, delivery capabilities, and risk management competencies. This approach recognises that apparent cost savings during procurement often translate into substantial expenses during implementation phases. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, is Ireland's public infrastructure lagging behind? Effective procurement strategies also foster collaborative relationships between public sector clients and private sector contractors. Rather than adversarial dynamics focused solely on cost minimisation, successful projects develop partnership frameworks that encourage innovation, shared risk management, and mutual investment in project success. This collaborative approach enables more creative problem-solving and adaptive responses to emerging challenges. Communicating what you're doing to the general public The NCH project's communication failures contributed significantly to eroding public confidence in Irish infrastructure development capabilities. Inconsistent messaging, delayed disclosure of cost overruns and limited stakeholder engagement created an information vacuum that fostered speculation and distrust. Transparent communication strategies serve multiple functions beyond mere public relations. They enable early identification of potential problems through stakeholder feedback. They create mechanisms for community input that can improve project outcomes. More importantly still, they establish accountability frameworks that encourage responsible decision-making throughout project lifecycles. From RTÉ Radio 1's Late Debate, when will patients eventually be treated in the new and overdue Children's Hospital? Future projects must establish regular communication protocols that provide consistent updates to stakeholders, including the general public. This includes proactive disclosure of challenges and setbacks rather than reactive responses to external pressure. The importance of comprehensive risk management I think that fundamentally, the NCH project failed to integrate comprehensive risk management into its planning and execution phases. Risk assessment was treated as a secondary consideration rather than a core component of project architecture. This reactive approach to risk management resulted in expensive crisis responses rather than proactive mitigation strategies. Effective risk management requires systematic identification of potential challenges during initial planning phases. It also requires the development of corresponding mitigation strategies, as well as continuous monitoring throughout project implementation. This includes financial risks, technical challenges, regulatory changes, and stakeholder dynamics that could affect project trajectories. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Dr. Paul Davis examines the findings of an external audit into the infamous Leinster House bike shelter Risk management must also incorporate scenario planning. These scenarios should consider multiple potential outcomes and develop adaptive strategies for each possibility. This approach enables projects to maintain momentum despite encountering unforeseen challenges while minimising disruption to overall objectives. What all of this means for future infrastructure development These lessons have direct relevance for Ireland's upcoming infrastructure initiatives, particularly the National Maternity Hospital and other major public works. Implementing these insights requires systematic changes to how Ireland approaches large-scale infrastructure development, from initial conceptualisation through final delivery. Success requires integrating governance reform, technological advancement, procurement innovation, communication enhancement, and risk management improvement into comprehensive project frameworks. This holistic approach recognises that infrastructure development challenges are inherently systemic rather than isolated technical problems. Ireland's future infrastructure success depends on delivering major public works efficiently, transparently and in accordance with public expectations The NCH experience demonstrates that effective infrastructure development requires more than engineering expertise or construction capabilities. It demands sophisticated organisational frameworks. These framework must have the capability and capacity to coordinate complex stakeholder relationships, manage evolving requirements, and maintain public trust throughout extended implementation periods. Ireland's future infrastructure success depends on internalising these lessons and developing institutional capabilities that can deliver major public works efficiently, transparently, and in accordance with public expectations. The stakes are too high, and the public resources too valuable, to repeat the mistakes that have characterised the National Children's Hospital project.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Notions and necessities: From music and interactive events to spa and GAA experiences, it's all here
Hearing voices The National Concert Hall is hosting its inaugural Festival of Voice from June 27 to 29 at the NCH and other venues throughout Dublin. Dedicated to the power, beauty and universality of the human voice, the festival offers a weekend of main stage and more intimate concerts, pop-up events and interactive workshop performances. Artists taking part include Tolü Makay, Dublin Gay Men's Chorus, Eimear Quinn and sean nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird. LH For tickets, see National Concert Hall Box Office, Tel: 01-4170000 or NOTION Living the dream The Dream Point Experience for children is a multi-room immersive experience from the creators of the Van Gogh Experience that has just launched in Dublin. The 21,000sq ft premises includes a balloon room, a projection space featuring an interactive animation wall, an inflatable room, glow corridor, and a ball-pit room with 250,000 balls. Dream Point operates in 90-minute sessions, six days a week (it is closed Tuesdays), and will be open for a six-month run. LH See NECESSITY Quiet time The working-outside-the-home parent-of-small-children in your life is about to enter the school-summer-holidays-hell months. Before that kicks off, treat them to some childfree relaxation time. The Spa at Farnham Estate in Cavan, an adult-only premises which boasts an indoor/outdoor infinity hydrotherapy pool with bucolic views of the hotel's 1,300ac estate, has just launched skincare brand Comfort Zone as part of their treatments, including their new Himalayan Salt Massage Ritual. LH See NECESSITY Love of the game Running until early August, the Bord Gáis GAA Legends Tours return to Croke Park to bring fans up close to where and how the magic happens. Icons of the sport leading this family day out will include Dublin's Brian Fenton and Lyndsey Davey Diarmaid Marsden of Armagh, Pat McEnaney from Monaghan and many more. Highlights include first-hand accounts of the highs and lows of the game, access to the GAA Museum and Hall of Fame, as well as the interactive Games Zone. SC To book, see NOTION Strike it lucky Not just for the kids, in case you didn't know, bowling has now come to town, or Clarendon Row in Dublin 2, to be specific. Lane7, which also has a location in the Dundrum Town Centre, offers bowling, gaming, cocktails and, they promise, Insta-friendly interiors. SC See NECESSITY All mapped out Open now until early September at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, D2, is an exhibition of the Book of Routes and Realms (Kitāb al-Masālik wa al-Mamālik), a collection of 21 colour maps of world regions, composed by 10th-century geographer Abū Isḥāq Ibrāhīm al-Istakhri. The exhibition also features a contemporary art response from Dublin-based artist Diaa Lagan. SC For more information on workshops and tours, see NOTION Secretly shaping Following their launch two years ago in Brown Thomas Dublin, SKIMS, the Kim Kardashian underwear, shapewear and loungewear range, is now available in Brown Thomas Cork and Dundrum. While we could live without her muted, muddy palette taking over our entire wardrobes/lives, the neutral shades Kardashian favours work and she genuinely makes good bras. LH See NOTION Complexion attraction The new Dermalogica Magnetic Afterglow Cleanser promises not only to thoroughly clean, but thanks to positive-charge hyaluronic acid, counters the natural negative charge of your skin to lock in moisture. As well as other nourishing ingredients, it also features phyto mucin, a plant-derived alternative to K-Beauty snail excretion, which also works to achieve that glass-skin effect. SC From €56, selected stockists nationwide
Irish Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Children's hospital ‘never-ending saga', says Opposition after completion delayed until September
The new national children's hospital (NCH) is a 'never-ending saga', with deadlines becoming 'moving targets', Opposition politicians have said after it emerged the completion of the project has been delayed again until at least September. On Saturday, The Irish Times reported the substantial completion of the healthcare facility has been delayed again until at least September, with patients now not expected to be treated at the facility until June 2026 at the earliest. In September last, the contractor pledged the new substantial completion date for the hospital would be June 2025 – the 14th such date issued by the builder. However, it has now emerged this date will not be met. The national paediatric hospital development board (NPHDB), the body overseeing the project, is due to appear before politicians to update them on the hospital on Thursday. READ MORE Sinn Féin's health spokesman David Cullinane described the children's hospital as a 'never-ending saga' that is 'making a mockery' out of the taxpayer. 'What we have is the board saying the contractor is not deploying enough human resources; the company is pointing the finger at the board. All of this has to come to a stop eventually,' said Mr Cullinane. 'We need to know why there's been a further delay. We were told the most recent completion date [June] would be met, and now we hear it won't. I think the opening [to patients] of summer next year is widely optimistic. It's been delayed, delayed, delayed.' Mr Cullinane said it was an 'absolute shambles' to have 'completion date after completion date come and go'. 'Children who should have been treated in the hospital by 2022, now won't be seen until the middle of 2026,' he added. Labour health spokeswoman Marie Sherlock said the delay is 'extremely frustrating' but 'not entirely unexpected'. 'The question we would have now is around cost and what impact this will have on activity for the three hospitals. Ultimately, it is very frustrating and even with the handover in September, that is still a very tight turnaround for the commissioning period,' she added. Social Democrats health spokesman Pádraig Rice said the hospital has to be 'one of the most botched capital projects in the history of the State'. 'Where is the political leadership? How many more delays before there is political accountability? How can we have any confidence that children will be treated in the hospital by June 2026?' he asked. 'Deadlines have become little more than moving targets,' he added before calling on Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to update the Dáil next week on the latest delay. Building on the site at St James's Hospital in Dublin began in 2016 after years of disagreement over the location of the hospital. The following eight years were marked by ballooning cost – from €987 million to €2.2 billion, with repeated delays exacerbated by an increasingly fractious relationship between the builders, BAM , and the NPHDB. Asked about further delays, a spokeswoman for the NPHDB said work towards substantial completion is 'continuing and approaching the final stages'. 'A key focus currently relates to the completion of all rooms and spaces within the hospital to the standard required by the contract, ie, snag free,' she said. 'This process is advancing. In addition, the technical commissioning is being undertaken and will continue until substantial completion.' A BAM spokesman said: 'The NCH project is at a very advanced stage and is well through the technical commissioning process. BAM is working closely with the NPHDB and CHI [Children's Health Ireland] to ensure early access for CHI.'
RTÉ News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Something For The Something – Keeley Forsyth's cultural picks
Keeley Forsyth is a composer, singer and actor from Oldham in the north-west of England. Her debut album Debris (2020) was hailed by The Sunday Times as 'one of the most remarkable [albums] in years'. It was followed by the highly-acclaimed Limbs (2022) and the equally lauded The Hollows (2024). As an actor, recent screen appearances include roles in Jessica Hausner's dark satire Club Zero as well as Yorgos Lanthimos's multi-award-winning Poor Things. She has also starred in popular television programmes such as Happy Valley, Luther and Criminal Justice. This month, Keeley performs with collaborator Matthew Bourne in the National Concert Hall Studio on May 13th, as part of the NCH's Metronome Series. We asked Keely for her choice cultural picks... FILM I am looking forward to watching Monk In Pieces – a documentary about the performer and interdisciplinary artist Meredith Monk. MUSIC I recently collaborated with a vocal artist, an actor, and a musician. We were workshopping new ideas for a play directed by Samantha Shay. During that time, I learned a Ukrainian folk song - Plyve Kacha - sang to me by one of the actors there, Ditte Berkeley, who co-founded the Tzar Theatre Grotowski in Poland. We connected, and she generously taught me the song. Since then, I've found myself humming it often. It's stayed with me—not just the melody, but the feeling behind it. As I sing it to myself, I'm reminded of the pain and cruelty that war brings. BOOK The Son of Man by Jean-Baptiste Del Amo. I admire everything he writes. His work is both tender and vivid, and there's a quiet courage in the way he approaches each subject. His writing stays with me - thoughtful, evocative, and deeply human. THEATRE The last play I saw was The Seagull at The Barbican - I was blown away by the new adaptation by Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier. I am hoping to see my mate Maxine Peake at Nottingham Playhouse in September, in The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse by Caroline Bird. TV Not a TV person - but I have been enjoying The Studio, an American satirical comedy. GIG Colin Stetson at BDCST festival in Brussels – I got the chance to play with him during my set for the same festival, curated by him. He is one of the most powerful performers I have experienced. ART The Museo del Prado in Madrid houses the largest collection of Francisco Goya's art, so when I was there performing in Madrid, I made sure to go and see it. TECH I was recently told about the website What Three Words - a mapping of the world to accurately locate yourself or others - although I am usually partial to being a little lost. THE NEXT BIG THING... Not spending anything on cosmetics, ever - just castor oil as it does it all, mostly. As an actor, recent screen appearances include roles in Jessica Hausner's dark satire Club Zero as well as Yorgos Lanthimos's multi-award-winning Poor Things. She has also starred in popular television programmes such as Happy Valley, Luther and Criminal Justice.
