Stop-work action planned by health workers to protest pathology lab cuts

Dozens of health workers across the region are set to hold a 30-minute stop-work action tomorrow to protest against the proposed closure of the Cootamundra pathology lab.

In May, the Cootamundra community was told the pathology, surgical, and birthing units at Cootamundra Hospital would be discontinued under the Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s (MLHD) draft Health Services Plan to make more space for the emergency department.

Health staff from Cootamundra Hospital, alongside pathology workers from Deniliquin, Tumut, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, and Young will rally in front of their respective facilities on Tuesday 1 October at 1 pm.

“The proposed closure of Cootamundra’s pathology lab is a short-sighted decision that will have far-reaching consequences for patient care in the region,” said NSW Health Services Union (HSU) Secretary Gerard Hayes.

“This lab is not just profitable; it’s a vital lifeline for Cootamundra Hospital’s theatre lists and maternity unit.

“Without this lab, patients will face significantly longer wait times for life-saving diagnostic information. This delay could severely impact our ability to provide timely care, especially in emergencies.”

The union said it was particularly concerned about the broader implications for healthcare in the region and staff retention in the wake of the proposed closure.

“Pathology workers are already in short supply, and this move could see us lose highly skilled professionals from the NSW Health system altogether.

“The HSU is calling on the NSW Government to reconsider its decision and engage in meaningful dialogue with healthcare workers and the community about the future of pathology services in the Murrumbidgee region.”

HSU official Sam Oram told Region pathology labs in the Murrumbidgee already have significant work pressures and the proposed closure will put pressure on the labs, particularly in Wagga and Young.

“We believe that most of the work from Cootamundra will go to Young Pathology lab and Young already sends work it cannot do to the Wagga Pathology lab,” Mr Oram said.

“Patients who present to the emergency department will have significant delays in their care as their specimens will need to be transported to Young or Wagga for testing.

“This will also impact on the hospitals ability to offer theatre and maternity services.”

Mr Oram said the union is also concerned about the future of other smaller labs in Tumut and Deniliquin as there has been a progression towards smaller pathology labs closing.

“The HSU believes that the expectation from Health is that the expertise in Cootamundra Laboratory will transfer to Young Pathology,” Mr Oram said.

“Initial discussions with members indicate workers would prefer to leave NSW Health rather than transfer to Young.”

Mr Oram said the 30-minute stop-work action is the first step in a campaign to show how much regional pathology labs mean to workers and their communities.

“We believe shutting these kinds of labs is short-sighted in an aging population with ever-increasing pressures on the health system in regional areas,” he said.

“We are hoping that the HSU campaign will show how much this lab benefits their community and that the government will reconsider their decision.”

In June, Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack voiced strong opposition in Parliament to the proposed cuts to pathology, surgical and birthing services at Cootamundra Hospital.

“Why should people living in rural and regional areas have fewer and inferior services to Australians living in metropolitan areas?” Mr McCormack asked Parliament.

“There’s no right or proper answer to that question. They simply should not.”

The new draft plan will see a drop in inpatient beds from 30 to 24, a rise in triage beds, the hospital’s first CT space, and added staffing accommodation.

The plan notes that the change in spaces and available beds reflects the projections for an increase in demand for medical beds and a decrease in surgery and birthing needs, stating that Temora, Young and Wagga Wagga services are better and more likely to be chosen by patients.