Medical Laboratory Scientists at Ennis General and University Hospital Limerick are calling on the Health Service Executive to enter talks aimed at avoiding further industrial action.
Today’s twelve hour strike has led to the cancellation of many inpatient and day-case elective procedures as well as some outpatient appointments in the MidWest and across the country.
Over 2,100 medical scientists across the country are stopping routine lab services for 12 hours – ending at 8 o’clock tonight.
Members of the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association have downed tools over pay and career development issues.
The MLSA say they’ve been left with no other alternative than today’s industrial action, as they fight for pay parity with biochemists who also work in hospital labs.
The UL Hospitals Group is warning of significant disruption and service delays at Ennis General and University Hospital Limerick as a result of the protest.
The planned industrial action has resulted in the cancellation of many inpatient and day-case elective procedures as well as some outpatient appointments in the MidWest.
Outpatient appointments which don’t require bloods to be taken are going ahead, and all those who are affected by the strike will be contacted directly by the hospital.
Essential services at UHL, including oncology and dialysis, will remain open.
The hospital’s Emergency Department will also remain open, but it’s anticipated that patients with non-urgent care needs are likely to experience significant delays in service.
Liam Woods, the HSE’s director of acute operations, says there’ll be a ‘very disabling impact’ on hospitals.
One Medical Scientist at University Hospital Limerick, who’s protesting today, has told Clare FM that issues retaining and recruiting staff are plaguing the sector.
Despite lab scientists carrying out identical work to biochemists, they’re paid on average 8% less per year – which is detering people from entering the professtion.
Currently 20% of medical scientist posts remained unfilled in hospitals across the country.
This worker is calling for the HSE to negotiate better conditions for the sector and to take action to avoid further industrial action.
Meanwhile, at Ennis General Hospital, another union member says she’s dissappointed in the HSE as her employer.
Those on strike in the county town explained that the decision to protest was not taken lightly, given the impact it will have on patient care.
If no progress is made in resolving the issues the union are highlighting today, a futher two days of action are planned for Maty 24th and 25th and an additional three days on May 31st and June 1st and 2nd.
This Medical Scientist in Ennis insists they can’t be overlooked anymore.
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