Dozens of health workers from Cootamundra Hospital and all Murrumbidgee pathology labs will stage a 30-minute stop work action on 1 October at 1 pm to protest against the proposed closure of Cootamundra pathology lab.
The action will see staff from Cootamundra Hospital, along with pathology workers from Deniliquin, Tumut, Griffith, Wagga, and Young, rally in front of their respective facilities.
"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," NSW Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes said. "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 emergency situations."
The union is particularly concerned about the broader implications for healthcare in the region. "Pushing this workload to Young, which already refers complex cases to Wagga, will create a domino effect of delays and potentially compromise patient outcomes.
There are also concerns about 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.
