19 NOVEMBER 2009
Medical Laboratory Workers’ value highlighted during contractual failure
Media release from Medical Laboratory Workers' Union
The serious quality issues experienced following the switch from Diagnostic Medlab to Labtests has highlighted the critical diagnostic work that medical laboratory workers undertake, say the NZ Medical Laboratory Workers Union (NZMLWU).
NZMLWU national president Stewart Smith says the Labtests debacle highlighted the vital role medical laboratory science plays in the provision of a safe and efficient health system, in particular the need for a qualified and experienced medical laboratory workforce that is able to produce accurate results in a timely manner.
This has led to the creation of a document published by NZMLWU which helps explain what happens to your blood and other samples.
Unlike doctors and nurses, medical laboratory scientists work behind the scenes but play an integral part of the health workforce. “Our work is vital to the patient’s treatment,” Mr Smith says. “Over 90% of doctors’ treatment requires laboratory input, to aid or confirm diagnosis and to monitor drug levels or disease progression.”
New Zealand medical laboratory scientists are highly regarded and sought after worldwide. “Unfortunately, the current situation in New Zealand, of contracting out laboratory services, is having a catastrophic effect on our profession. Our older colleagues are leaving, and younger science students are choosing other careers. Ours is the only professional health science degree where the number of places in the university is greater than the number of students applying.”
Mr Smith says the job has a high level of responsibility and decisions are often made under pressure. “Emergencies can occur at any time, day or night, so we have to prioritize and take the initiative, often without much back-up. If the doctor needs to know, we have to deliver the answer. Sometimes this means working through the night providing results while a patient fights for their life in another part of the hospital or a surgeon waits, mid-operation, for our phone call.”
Medical Laboratory science is a bit like detective work. “We look for answers to the disease ‘puzzle’, to help doctors diagnose and treat their patients.”
Medical laboratory scientists hold a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, which comprises four and a half years of study and training. On successful completion of four years’ study we must then be employed as an intern for a further six months minimum before applying for registration from the Medical Laboratory Science Board.
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