Members of our Pathology team who are members of the Unite union will be taking industrial action over a number of issues from Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 February. 

 

As a result, we will have less capacity in our laboratories than usual to process samples.

 

To help maintain patient safety, and to minimise disruption over the three strike days, we are prioritising clinically urgent testing. This means we will continue to process urgent cases, such as tests for cancer patients and emergency patients needing blood transfusions.

 

There will also be less availability for routine blood tests which take place in the community and are sent to our laboratories for testing. We’re working closely with GPs to ensure patients get their results back as quickly as possible.

 

Alan Wishart, Director of Workforce, said: 

 

 

We apologise for any delays patients may experience.

 

We’re disappointed Unite are taking industrial action as we’ve had detailed discussions with their representatives in recent weeks and we’re keen to continue this constructive dialogue.

 

We accept there are long standing issues that need to be resolved in pathology and we have worked hard to do so. 

 

As part of our ongoing response, and to address Unite’s concerns,  we have offered a number of suggestions which we believe are the basis for further negotiation rather than strike action.