Medical Scientists begin Industrial Action

Medical Scientists mounted a picket on Our Lady's Hospital Navan today (Wednesday) in frustration over long-standing pay and career development issues

The picket was part of a nationwide industrial action, which is affecting routine hospital and GP services across the country.

There are 21 medical scientists working in Our Lady's Hospital Navan providing a 24/7, 365 days a year laboratory service to patients in the hospital and also for GPs and nursing homes in County Meath.

Today's action has seen the vast majority of the

Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) 2,100 members in public hospitals on strike between 8am and 8pm.

The union said it has made every effort to avoid today’s disruption to patients and fellow healthcare workers, but has been left with no alternative.

“The action follows many rounds of unsuccessful talks with the HSE, Department of Health, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Service Agreement Group,” said a spokesperson.

In a ballot of MLSA members last November 98 per cent had voted in favour of taking the action.

If no progress is made a further two days of action are planned for 24th and 25th May.

Three further days of action are planned for 31t May, 1st and 2nd June.

MLSA Chairperson Kevin O’Boyle said Medical Scientists did not want to be taking this action today and it was only the second time in the sectors’ 60 year history that action had been taken. However, there is huge frustration and burn-out because of a severe recruitment and retention problem which have been ignored by the HSE and Department of Health for many years.

“Up to 20% of approved Medical Scientist posts are unfilled in public hospitals and this problem is worsening. Medical Scientists carry out identical work to other colleagues in hospital laboratories, yet are paid on average eight per cent less. Medical Laboratory Aides who report to Medical Scientists start on a higher salary.

“Medical Scientists have fewer career development opportunities and less training and education supports than comparable colleagues. “Against this the role for laboratory diagnostics is expanding with increasing responsibility and workloads.”