Pathology: The Lifeblood Of Healthcare

Did you know that over 70% of medical decisions rely on pathology? Yet, our government is neglecting this crucial service, causing a dangerous shortfall in the resources our pathology heroes need to meet growing demands.

This neglect impacts the quality of care you and your loved ones receive.

At the Launceston General Hospital, pathology staff have absorbed a staggering 20% increase in activity, and the demand continues to rise.

From the moment a sample is collected to delivering test results, pathology professionals are on the frontline every single day, ensuring every Tasmanian gets the healthcare they deserve.

These tests are not just numbers on a page - they are vital tools that help doctors diagnose and treat your health issues accurately and promptly.

What needs to change?

Without adequate staffing, the entire healthcare system is at risk.

We are calling on the Tasmanian government to recognise the essential value of pathology and provide the necessary support for these dedicated professionals and take immediate action to recruit and retain more pathology staff.

How you can help:

Speak up now to ensure the highest quality of care for you and your community. Contact Health Minister Guy Barnett by clicking here. *Opens up in your email app.

LGH Pathology workers escalate industrial action amidst ongoing staffing crisis - 18 September 2024

HACSU medical scientists who work in the Pathology laboratory at the Launceston General Hospital are today escalating their industrial action and walking off the job for 60 minutes over the government’s failure to address urgent staffing shortages to meet the current demand for services.
 
Despite repeated calls from both workers and HACSU for discussions about the critical staffing shortfall, the Department of Health has remained silent, leaving overworked and under-resourced staff at breaking point as they struggle to meet the ever-increasing demand, which is now impacting patient care.
 
“The staffing crisis has resulted in critical testing being sent to the private sector and patients and other health professionals are waiting longer for important testing results than they really should,” HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore said.
 
“Delays in diagnostic results can lead to delayed treatments, increased patient anxiety, and potential worsening of conditions. Without sufficient staffing, our entire healthcare system is at risk. It is time to stop the excuses and start fixing this crisis now,” he added.
 
A recent business case outlined the requirement for an additional 17.54 full-time equivalents (FTE) to safely meet current demand in the LGH Pathology laboratory but there has been no funding commitment to this request since the state budget was handed down last week, leading to concerns that it was not allocated for funding.
 
Union members in Pathology do not take the decision to stop work lightly, but today’s action underscores the urgent need for the Rockliff government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the affected workers and take immediate action to recruit and retain more pathology staff.

Check out photos from the 18 September 2024 industrial action below.

Stop work action to highlight ongoing resourcing issues at the LGH - 14 August 2024

HACSU medical scientists who work in the Pathology laboratory at the Launceston General Hospital walked off the job for 30 minutes to protest the government’s inaction on recruiting additional workers to help meet the current demand for services.

HACSU has repeatedly called on the government to commit to immediately recruit additional medical scientists to address chronic retention and attraction issues. The understaffing sees critical testing being sent to the private sector and patients and other health professionals waiting longer for important testing results than they really should.

These staffing shortfalls have had a significant effect on the community’s ability to access vital test results, with services to Theatre, emergency department and wards often reduced. The Department of Health committed to applying for further funding from the state budget but has refused to immediately advertise these difficult to fill positions which means the community will have to wait for a solution.

“Pathology workers are currently facing a critical shortage, with a measurable increase in demand and no further workers employed to meet that demand. This shortfall is leading to significant and unacceptable challenges, which in turn are causing delays and preventing the Tasmanian community from receiving vital test results that are essential for their health,” HACSU Industrial Manager Lucas Digney says.

“Before the state election, the health minister promised to address the issues plaguing our health system and this is something straightforward and easy – just advertise additional jobs that are needed to meet the demand but all we hear from the Department is excuse after excuse.”

Union members in Pathology do not take the decision to stop work lightly, but feel they have no other choice until there is a solution to the current staffing issues put on the table.

Watch media coverage of the 14 August 2024 industrial action in the video below.