Young pathology staff to walk off job over Cootamundra lab closure

Young pathology staff are set to walk off the job in protest of the NSW Government’s decision to close the Cootamundra Hospital pathology lab.

Workers will be off the job for 24 hours, starting on 26 February, as fears that the Young District Hospital-based labs will be overwhelmed by new patients from Cootamundra and surrounds.

“All staff members at the Young pathology lab are expected to participate in the industrial action, marking an escalation in the ongoing dispute over pathology services in the Murrumbidgee region,” Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes said.

“This is not a decision our members have taken lightly, but the closure of Cootamundra’s pathology lab will create a devastating ripple effect across our regional healthcare system. The disruption from our one-day action pales in comparison to the permanent damage this closure will inflict on healthcare delivery in our region.

“The Young pathology lab, which is already operating at capacity, will be expected to absorb additional workload from Cootamundra following the closure.

“Young’s lab already refers complex cases to Wagga. Adding Cootamundra’s workload to this system will create dangerous delays in diagnostic testing and compromise patient care across the entire region.”

NSW Health Pathology Chief Executive Vanessa Janissen responded to the threat of a strike by assuring that the residents of Cootamundra will continue to get the advanced care that its patients need.

“We have consulted with local clinical teams, hospital and pathology staff, the local health advisory committee and community leaders over several months.

“After careful deliberation, we have determined a regional networked service model and enhanced local point of care testing is the best way forward to ensure the people of Cootamundra have improved access to the highest quality care.

“I want to reassure the community the decision will help ensure Cootamundra continues to have access to the most advanced testing and laboratory services.

“Local residents will not experience any change to the care they receive. They will still be able to access pathology collection services in Cootamundra and our laboratory staff will provide high-quality, accurate and reliable pathology testing at an expanded laboratory service in Young.

“We value our dedicated and skilled laboratory staff at Cootamundra and Young and we will work with each staff member regarding their individual circumstances to ensure they are fully supported during this transition over the coming months.”

Despite Ms Janissen’s calls that there will be no change in care for patients, HSU has warned the closure of the lab in Cootamundra will cause:

• Increased wait times for crucial diagnostic results
• Delays in emergency department responses
• Disruption to surgical schedules
• Increased pressure on already stretched pathology services in Young and Wagga
• Potential loss of skilled healthcare workers from the region.

Local member, Steph Cooke MP and Mayor of Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Cr Abb McAlister, recently met with the NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Michael Holland to discuss the closure.

“At the meeting, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health advised that there had not yet been a decision made about the future of pathology services at the Cootamundra Hospital,” he said.

“My fear is NSW Pathology is continuing to prepare for the removal of services to the residents of the Cootamundra-Gundagai region and that it is just a matter of time and an opportune moment for this to occur.

“The closure of Cootamundra’s pathology lab would mean longer wait times for critical diagnostic information and will ultimately compromise patient care, particularly in emergency situations.

“I would again urge members of the community who have not signed the petition of the hardworking local member, Steph Cooke MP, to do so.”

Ms Cooke’s petition protesting the closure can be found here.