Ireland-U.S. Council honour Randox founder with Business Relations Award
Ireland-U.S. Council honour Randox founder with Business Relations Award
The Ireland-U.S. Council in America have this week presented the founder of healthcare diagnostics company Randox Laboratories with an award marking significant achievement in building relations between Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
Presented to Dr Peter FitzGerald at the 56th Annual Dinner of the Ireland-U.S. Council yesterday evening, the accolade, named the Cúchulainn award, recognizes the efforts of individuals who go above and beyond to support the objectives of the Ireland-U.S. Council – to improve the business bonds and commercial connections between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States.
Joining an exclusive line-up of some of the most prominent business figures in both Ireland and the United States recognized by the Ireland-U.S. Council, including CEO of International Airlines Group William Walsh, Dr FitzGerald was presented with the prestigious award at The Metropolitan Club in New York City.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, commented;
“I am most honoured to be here this evening to accept the Cúchulainn award from the Ireland-U.S. Council in recognition of the work undertaken by Randox in the United States since the early 1980s when we began to export our diagnostic healthcare products. The United States remains one of Randox’s most important markets, in which we are growing at pace thanks to the ongoing development of innovative new products in not only the healthcare sector, but also the veterinary, research, toxicology and food safety industries.”
The Ireland-U.S. Council was founded in 1962 by a group of American and Irish business leaders as a measure to build an established structure which would encourage closer economic relations, and was initially created to assist in making preparations for the first-ever State Visit of a sitting U.S. President to Ireland by President John F. Kennedy from June 26 – 29 in 1963.
David O’Sullivan, Executive Director of the Ireland–U.S. Council, added;
“Ever since the State Visit to Ireland by President John F. Kennedy, the Ireland-U.S. Council has been engaged in efforts to achieve our transatlantic mission. Dr FitzGerald of Randox Laboratories truly embodies the essence of this mission by aligning his business in Ireland closely with businesses in the US, to maximise the positive outcomes for both parties. We are delighted to present him this evening with the Cúchulainn award – for the significant contributions he has made to the development of closer economic, business and commercial ties between our two nations.”
For further information please email randoxpr@randox.com
Randox creates 25 new positions in specialist IT roles in Antrim
Healthcare diagnostics company Randox has today announced 25 new specialist IT roles ranging from Software Development and Information Security to Web Design and IT Support.
The roles, which will span a variety of career pathways, including placements, graduates, apprenticeships and permanent positions, will be based at the firm’s new headquarters, the Randox Science Park in Antrim, which will host an IT Open Evening on Tuesday 20th November.
Those in attendance at the Open Evening will be invited to enjoy a tour of the Randox Science Park, which, following purchase by Randox in 2015, is being developed into a manufacturing and research facility in an investment totalling £161m. The ongoing renovation plans, when complete, will have created a total of 540 high value job opportunities at the site, with an average salary of £30k per year that will generate £16.2 million in annual salaries.
Stephen Fawl, Randox IT Manager, commented;
“Working at the cutting edge of technology and innovation, the Randox IT department design and develop a range of web-based applications and software, support the tech infrastructure of more than 1400 employees worldwide, and implement the very latest in security protocols. It’s no surprise therefore that we’re seeking the very best talent to join our team – offering competitive salaries, career progression, personal development and the opportunity to work in an incredibly forward-thinking company. We invite anybody who is interested in a dynamic career in IT to visit us from 6-8pm on the 20th November for our Open Evening at the Randox Science Park.”
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, added;
“As a global leader in healthcare diagnostics, we must continue innovating, through our people, through our world-class R&D, and through our infrastructure. With technology heavily influencing so much of what we do, the Randox IT department remain at the forefront of our capability and have a critical role to play in the delivery of cutting-edge innovation. The newly-refurbished IT facilities at the Randox Science Park in Antrim give the team there the platform to engage across a broad range of projects, to make a real and important impact upon global healthcare.”
Randox, renowned for the placement and employment opportunities it provides students and graduates at both Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, has recently launched an ‘Earn As Your Learn’ Higher Level Apprenticeship in Computing, with Northern Regional College.
Through the ‘Career Encode’ programme, Randox is offering three-year apprenticeship vacancies in the IT department, in addition to a range of senior roles for the more experienced IT professional. The apprenticeship scheme is equivalent to a foundation degree and provides a clear progression route for apprentices to train to the highest level whilst gaining a professional qualification.
Councillor Paul Michael, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, commented;
“The creation of these specialist IT jobs for the Antrim community, as a direct result of Randox’s ongoing investment and expansion is further proof, if needed, of their commitment to the regional economy. To be able to offer both experienced and aspiring IT professionals, whether students, graduates or full-time IT specialists, the opportunity to work in such high-calibre roles so close to home is an incredibly unique opportunity and I look forward to welcoming new IT staff to the fantastic Randox Science Park facilities.”
Randox Laboratories currently employ 1400 employees globally, 800 of which are based in its Northern Ireland sites in Crumlin and Antrim.
Register your interest for the Randox IT Open Evening by collecting your free tickets here.
For further information about the Randox IT Open Evening, please contact Randox PR by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phoning 028 9442 2413.
Randox IT Manager Stephen Fawl and Senior Recruitment Consultant Lyndsay Rodgerson are pictured with Councillor Paul Michael, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, at the launch of Randox’s 25 new specialist IT roles
The Randox Health Everyman: so much more than a health MOT
It’s a concept we’re all familiar with.
Every year we take our car to get serviced to make sure everything is in working order and to fix the things that aren’t quite right.
Even if it’s been driving smoothly, using fuel economically and experiencing no apparent issues, we get it checked out anyway, because it’s better to find the small problems before they become bigger ones. Prevention is better than cure, right?
So why should we treat our bodies any differently?
Nearly half of all faults found during car MOTs could be avoided by carrying out simple maintenance, and it’s the same when it comes to our bodies.
With 50% of cancers, 70% of cardiovascular disease and 80% of strokes being preventable, a comprehensive health MOT can provide an accurate picture of your health while you are still well and provide you with the information you need to take action to prevent future problems.
This Movember, we’re encouraging men to take a proactive approach to their health – to obtain a comprehensive understanding of their body and their health in the same way they do with their car each year.
Your body is the most important vehicle you will ever own and that’s why we provide a comprehensive menu of blood tests for 25 different aspects of your health simultaneously, whereas a standard car MOT will only test 8 different areas of your car’s health.
But that’s not surprising when you know how complex the human body is compared to a car! Or when you learn that Randox Health’s testing programme is the most comprehensive and personalised health MOT on the market.
Between three and five tests are traditionally offered in the GP setting, and even in standard healthcare companies’ ‘premium packages’, only 30-35 routine blood tests may be carried out.
Within the Randox Health Everyman Programme we offer a varied range of 150 health tests.
Much more than a standard health MOT, this full body testing makes Randox Health the world’s most advanced preventive and personalised health MOT.
By harnessing the cutting-edge Randox Health science and technology, developed over 35 years, you have the knowledge to prevent future illness, and the power to secure your health.
Contact the Randox Health team today to find out more:
Tel: 0800 2545 130
Email: info@randoxhealthni.com
Randox supports Health Secretary’s new 21st century focus on prevention
For over 36 years, Randox has been developing cutting-edge diagnostic technologies to improve the quality, accuracy and timeliness of laboratory results, because we firmly believe that access to accurate and timely diagnostics is key to improving healthcare.
As 70% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory output, our efforts are central to healthcare and improving patient outcomes. It will come as no surprise therefore that we support the announcement made by Health Secretary Matt Hancock this week about a new green paper, entitled “Prevention is better than cure,” that will argue for a shift towards preventative healthcare, to help people stay well.
On Monday Mr Hancock argued that the “numbers don’t stack up” when it comes to spending on prevention as opposed to treatment, with £97bn of public money in the UK spent on treating disease and only £8bn preventing it.
He added that “we need a new 21st century focus on prevention.”
Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive Public Health England, echoed Mr Hancock’s sentiments by saying; “We need to move from a system that detects and treats illnesses to one that also predicts and prevents poor health through promoting health in all policies and puts people back in charge of their own health.”
It’s a goal that we at Randox share with both Mr Hancock and Mr Selbie. With new and emerging diagnostic technologies, we can speed up diagnoses, improve patient outcomes, make every pound go further and give clinicians more time with their patients.
Much earlier and much more effective diagnosis can simultaneously improve healthcare outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare services.
At Randox, we look forward to a time when sickness is actively prevented, rather than managed. By utilising innovative diagnostic products capable of diagnosing disease and ill-health at the earliest possible stage, we can truly transform the life of the patient.
For further information please email randoxpr@randox.com
November focus: Drugs of Abuse
Throughout November, the Randox clinical teams – Randox Reagents, Randox Rx series and Randox QC – will be highlighting how the Randox product range can be utilised to allow for the most accurate analysis of Drugs of Abuse, with a particular focus placed with the Evidence MultiSTAT. The Evidence MultiSTAT is a fast, fully automated and versatile immunoanalyser that enables on-site detection of up to 21 Drugs of Abuse from a single sample of oral fluid, urine or blood.
Drugs of Abuse are a growing problem worldwide and represent a significant burden to healthcare systems as well as creating problems in an individual’s lifestyle. It has been estimated by the WHO (World Health Organisation) that 31 million people globally suffer from drug use disorders and 3.3 million deaths each year are linked to the abuse of both drugs and alcohol.
Randox have reacted to this growing concern and are now a world leader in the Drugs of Abuse testing field. Our product range currently comprises classical, prescription and synthetic drugs.
The Evidence MultiSTAT offers a simple drug screening solution to those who have little or no knowledge of laboratory procedures. As an extremely versatile desktop analyser, it is ideally suited to a variety of settings including both the clinical laboratory and the emergency room.
Randox Reagents – Drugs of Abuse Assays
In order to assist in dealing with the ongoing burden of substance abuse, Randox Reagents offer a comprehensive range of ten assays to test for some of the top most commonly-abused substances including alcohol, methamphetamines, cocaine, methadone, cannabis, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, EDDP and ecstasy and opiates. The Randox Drugs of Abuse assays are liquid, ready-to-use for increased efficiency and applications are available for over 30 different analysers.
RX Series – Toxicology testing
Renowned for quality and reliability, the RX series range of clinical chemistry analysers boasts a world-leading test menu comprising of both therapeutic drugs and Drugs of Abuse. Our toxicology range comprises amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine metabolite, ecstasy, EDDP, ethanol, methadone and opiates. The RX series range of clinical chemistry analysers ensures a high degree of accuracy with a wide range of testing throughputs to suit all laboratories, big or small.
RIQAS Urine Toxicology Programme
Designed to monitor the performance of 20 Drugs of Abuse tests in urine, our RIQAS urine toxicology EQA program is suitable for both qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. As the largest EQA scheme in the world, access to large peer groups is guaranteed. Additional benefits include; monthly analysis, user-friendly reports allowing at-a-glance performance assessment, ability to register up to five instruments per programme and cost savings via our unrivalled consolidation.
For more information about Randox RX, Randox Reagents or Randox QC, please email marketing@randox.com.
Randox Health partners with Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation to offer free health checks in Wirral
Randox Health is today delighted to announce that it is partnering with the Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation to offer free health checks for young adults across Wirral.
On 9th April 2017 Tim Cogley, an apparently fit and healthy 34-year-old, suffered a fatal heart attack whilst walking home after a night out with friends. Despite showing no symptoms, Tim had a 75% cholesterol blockage of the left descending coronary artery. Since then his family have set up the Tim Cogley Foundation to help raise awareness of coronary heart screening in 18 to 39-year-olds.
Throughout November, the charity, in association with Randox Health, will offer free health checks, including heart screening, to men and women between the ages of 18 and 39 in Wirral.
Appointments will last around 15 minutes and will involve blood pressure testing, body composition analysis and blood sampling to test for glucose concentration (relating to diabetes risk), lipid profile results (including important Total Cholesterol: HDL Cholesterol ratios), and additional key biomarkers relevant to CVD risk, including kidney function tests.
Participants aged 25 or over will also be provided with a unique Cardiovascular Risk Score, which details your risk of experiencing a cardiac event over the next 10 years.
Frank Cogley, Tim’s father, said of the cardiac screening:
“There are many types of heart disease. The national media sadly, but regularly, report instances of young people suddenly dying, as in the case of our youngest son Tim, from undiagnosed heart disease. The current lack of routine screening of 18-39 year olds leaves a gaping chasm in our healthcare provision but with our highly motivated partner, Randox Health, we hope to redress this through lifestyle changes and preventative health programmes.
“The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation is committed to delivering positive, action-focused and life-changing programmes. The essence of the charity, and its whole approach of reaching out to help others, reflects Tim’s character and, in that sense, keeps alive his driving force. I can’t imagine a legacy more in tune with the generous, kind and supportive person that was Tim.”
Dates for the screening are as follows:
- Thursday, November 1 – 4pm to 8pm – Tesco, Telegraph Road, Heswall
- Saturday, November 3 – 10am to 4pm – Tesco, Telegraph Road, Heswall
- Tuesday, November 6 – 10am to 2pm – Warrens Medical Centre, Arrowe Park Road
- Thursday, November 8 – 4pm to 8pm – UTS Foundation, Newhall Lane, Hoylake
- Monday, November 12 – 10am to 2pm – Wirral Met 12 Quays Campus, Shore Road, Birkenhead
- Wednesday, November 14 – 4pm to 8pm – Caldy Sports Club, Telegraph Road, Thurstaston
- Saturday, November 17 – 10am to 2pm – Eastham Drop In Centre, 31 Eastham Rake
- Tuesday, November 20 – 10am to 2pm – Warrens Medical Centre, Arrowe Park Road
- Thursday, November 22 – 4pm to 8pm – UTS Foundation, Newhall Lane, Hoylake
- Monday, November 26 – 10am to 2pm – Greasby Medical Centre, Greasby Road
- Wednesday, November 28 – 4pm to 8pm – Drop In Centre, Victoria General Hospital, Marymount Close, Wallasey
- Saturday, December 1 – 10am to 2pm – Wirral Met Oval Campus, Old Chester Road, Bebington
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Health, commented:
“It is an honour to be partnering with Frank and the team at The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation to offer young people across Wirral and Merseyside the chance to avail of the advanced health screening we provide at Randox Health. We know all too well the benefit of prevention over cure, and you need look no further than Frank Cogley who is working tirelessly to turn his son’s tragic death into a force for good to see how important this is. It is so encouraging therefore to see how popular this initiative has proven thus far, and we are now adding further screening slots to our clinic in Exchange Station to accommodate the high demand.”
Further screening will take place at the Randox Health Liverpool Clinic, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2QP, so if you would like to participate please visit www.timcogleyfoundation.com/cardiac-screening to read the pre-screening information, and then call Randox Health on 0151 665 0700 to book your appointment.
During the month of November Randox Health Liverpool will also be offering free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood tests in celebration of Movember, Men’s Health Month. Offering a pre-cursor to a physical examination, the Randox Health prostate health check can stratify patients who may need referred on for further testing.
For further information about Randox Health’s partnership with The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation or about our complimentary Prostate Health Checks please contact Randox PR by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phoning 028 9442 2413.
Randox Biosciences and Mental Health & Wellbeing Month
Mental Health Day is held every year on the 10th of October since 1992 1 to raise awareness and support against the stigma. 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental illness each year 2.
“Everyone has mental health. It involves our emotional, psychological and social well-being and it affects how we feel, think and act” 3 Mental Health can also affect an individual’s daily life, relationships and physical health. Lives are taken as a result from mental health therefore it is vital that we acknowledge the syndromes of mental health in order provide help and support.
Randox held a mental health and well-being month. This entailed a yellow shirt day, an organised free-fall abseiling from the dome of Victoria Square, cake sale and yoga throughout the month! Randox care for the health of their staff and want to ensure that mental health is just as important as physical and that it is ok to not be ok.
At Randox Biosciences, we are devoted to the development of innovative diagnostic tests to improve patient care worldwide. We strive to maintain a stress-free environment for our employees by recognising the signs of mental health to lower mental health in order to create a positive working environment.
- Reach out. If you feel like you experience mental health, talk to someone. It will lift the weight off your shoulders and you could get the help you require.
- Do something you enjoy! It can be a hobby or spending time with your family and friends.
- Go for a walk. Fresh air can clear a head.
- Take time out of digital devices. Technology have taken over and sometimes taking an hour off social medias can help.
- Sleep more. Having a full night’s sleep can change your mood completely.
- Eat well and exercise. It is easy to forget your physical health. When you have a nutritional diet and exercise regularly, you’re stronger and healthier.
- Avoid alcohol and drug-use.
Help-lines for mental health include the following:
To find out more email us at info@randoxbiosciences.com
Connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn
Sources:
International Cannabis Abuse
The 2018 UN World Drug Report calculated that around 275 million people worldwide used drugs at least once in 2016 and some 31 million of those suffer from a drug use disorder.
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug in 2016, with 192 million people using it at least once that year. The global number of cannabis users continues to rise and appears to have increased by roughly 16 per cent in the decade ending 2016, which is in line with the increase of the world population.
The quantities of cannabis seized worldwide fell by 27 per cent, to 4,386 tons in 2016. This decline was particularly noticed in North America, where the medical cannabis in many states and the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use may have played a role in the declining figures. There is evidence from Western countries that the perceived easy availability of cannabis, coupled with perceptions of a low risk of harm, makes the drug among the most common substances whose use is initiated in adolescence. Cannabis is often used in conjunction with other substances and the use of other drugs is typically tried after recreational cannabis use.
As the need for vital drug screening continues to increase, Randox Toxicology are leading the way in developing new and novel drugs of abuse tests. Capable of detecting up to 21 classical, prescription and synthetic drugs from a single sample including cannabinoids, our fully automated Evidence MultiSTAT analyser utilises our Biochip Array Technology to deliver reliable and accurate results in under 20 minutes.
For further information about the Evidence MultiSTAT and our cutting-edge multiplex testing capabilities, contact info@randoxtoxicology.com to be put in touch with a sales member or visit www.randoxtoxicology.com.
We Are Randox | Team Randox scales the heights of Victoria Square for AWARE NI
On Sunday 21st October 2018, a team of brave Randox colleagues faced their fears and took part in a ‘freefall’ abseil from the dome of Victoria Square, Belfast. Scaling the heights of the 147ft, almost 45m drop, our fourteen daring Randox thrill seekers enjoyed views over Belfast before they stepped over the edge of the lilypad and ventured down to the ground floor of one of Belfast’s most recognisable structures.
The event took place as part of Randox’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Month throughout October, which sought to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing among staff members while fundraising for our two charity partners – AWARE NI and Ulster University’s Mind Your Mood. Events in the month have not only included a Victoria Square abseil but also a Wear Yellow Wednesday for World Mental Health Day, a fundraising coffee morning and internal fundraising bake sales along with yoga and relaxation class offers for staff members.
Congratulations to those all abseil participants! While this may be something else ticked off your ‘bucket list’, it also, most importantly, is a fantastic effort in raising awareness and funds for the work of AWARE NI, Northern Ireland’s depression charity.
Well done to everyone with your fundraising. You have all worked very hard and raised a fantastic amount – around £2000 so far and counting!
We hope you enjoy the photographs from the day. If you would still like to donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/RANDOXAWARE
Once again, many thanks on behalf of both Randox and AWARE NI to the Randox abseilers for their enthusiasm and fundraising efforts on behalf of both Randox and AWARE NI.
For more information about the abseil or Randox Mental Health & Wellbeing Month, please contact RandoxPR@randox.com.
Scottish Trade Delegation visits Randox Teoranta in Donegal
A Scottish trade delegation, led by the country’s Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation Ivan McKee, visited several companies in the Gaeltacht area of Donegal this week, including Randox Teoranta in Dungloe, Donegal.
Randox Laboratories Ltd was established in County Antrim in 1982 to address the need for accurate and readily available diagnostic tests to improve patient diagnoses, and Randox Teoranta in Donegal was subsequently opened in 2008.
A dedicated R&D and manufacturing biohub, Randox Teoranta researches, develops and manufactures a range of unique tests on the Randox Biochip.
Exporting over 95% of its products worldwide, Randox has a global vision and staff at Randox Teoranta have the opportunity to interact with like-minded innovators across the world, including the University of Nottingham, the Royal Derby Hospital, Pacific Biomarkers in Seattle, USA, The British Psychological Society and the Medical University of Vienna, to name but a few.
On Friday 19th October the trade delegation to visit Randox Teoranta, hosted by Údarás na Gaeltachta, announced a new trade partnership agreement between Scotland and the Donegal Gaeltacht.
The trade mission was set up to prove that challenges for businesses in Scotland and Donegal can be overcome by working together.
For Scottish companies setting up in somewhere in the Gaeltacht and for companies from the Gaeltacht interested in establishing themselves in Scotland, they can access the market to test its feasibility, with the support of Údaras na Gaeltachta and Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
For more information on the Scottish Trade Delegation to Randox Teoranta please contact the Randox PR team on 028 9442 2413 or by emailing randoxpr@randox.com
