Labtest workers 'not registered' - Medical Council

New Zealand's major doctors' organisation claimed today that six of the pathologists listed on the under-fire Labtests' website are not yet registered to practice here.

The Medical Council urged Auckland's new laboratory tests provider to be clear about the registration status of the pathologists on its website.

"They have applied for registration but haven't had their final interview," council chair John Campbell said in a statement to the New Zealand Doctor magazine.

"I think Labtests need to make it quite clear what the status of the people listed on their website is. The sooner that's remedied, the better," Professor Campbell said.

The claim by the council puts added pressure on the newcomer.

Australian-based Labtests recently took over the multi-million dollar contract to provide lab services in the Auckland region from Diagnostic Medlab, another Australian company.

The controversial switch and the new group's services have been heavily criticised, doctors and patients reporting delays in getting tests and results.

The company brought in new managers this week to improve services and the three Auckland-area district health boards that awarded the contract to Labtests yesterday told the company it had a month to fix problems.

Last night Auckland DHB chairman Pat Snedden said Labtests' execution of the Auckland community laboratory contract was not up to scratch.

He called a press conference to reiterate the message Labtests had been told to "rapidly respond" to concerns raised by clinicians.

"We have taken on board clinical feedback and have made it very clear that we want immediate and substantive improvements," Mr Snedden said.

He added Labtests had indicated it had the ability to fully deliver on the contract.

The DHBs would update progress in two weeks.

- NZPA