Countdown on till end of lab workers’ strike

5 December 2006

Countdown on till end of lab workers’ strike action

With less than 24 hours until the end of a seven day strike by laboratory workers, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s chief operating officer, Warrick Frater, is reminding the public to see their GP first unless it’s an emergency.

“The strike ends at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning, and while staff have coped brilliantly during the seven days, the demand for laboratory services has remained high. We have sufficient stocks of blood products, however, staff who are currently working extended shifts to provide lab services are counting down till tomorrow morning when staffing levels will return to normal.”

Mr Frater reminded the public to save the emergency department for emergencies. “There’s been no let-up in demand for our emergency services over the past week. It would be helpful if people could contact their GP or after-hours medical centre in the first instance unless it’s an emergency,” Mr Frater said.

ENDS

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