Fears for patient safety as radiographers strike for day

Senior doctors are concerned for patient safety as operations are delayed because of a day-long national strike by radiographers that begins this morning.

About 800 medical radiation technologists in public hospitals walk off the job from 7am, following a breakdown in contract negotiations between their union, Apex, and district health boards two weeks ago.

The only radiographers not striking are those at Canterbury District Health Board, who pulled out after Saturday's earthquake.

The 24-hour strike is an escalation of months of industrial action, with many radiographers already unavailable outside normal working hours.

Wellington's Capital & Coast District Health Board has delayed all cardiac and spinal surgery, as well as other major operations that require radiography services.

Among patients who have had surgery delayed is a woman who was scheduled to have a brain tumour removed, clinical director of radiology and laboratory services Peter Hicks said.

"In terms of the tumour, waiting for a week is unlikely to make much difference." But the delay had caused the woman considerable stress and anxiety.

Radiographers were on-call for "life-and-limb-preserving" situations but that still placed some patients in potential danger, Dr Hicks said.

"The group that are struggling the most are the group of senior doctors who are getting phoned and having to decide whether this does or doesn't meet the criteria for a life-preserving situation.

"We're very concerned that at some stage we're going to make the wrong decision."

Hospital staff supported their colleagues' right to take industrial action but the ongoing work-to-rule and today's strike were straining relationships between staff, he said.

Other lower North Island district health boards have also been forced to cancel or delay services.

A MidCentral Health spokesman said more than 100 operations, procedures and appointments at Palmerston North Hospital had been delayed.

"The strike also has the potential to delay processes for many, if not most, patients, who will present to the emergency department."

Emergency departments around the country are asking patients with minor injuries or sudden illnesses to ring or visit their GP or local accident and medical centre in the first instance, unless it is a clear emergency.

Radiographers have turned down an unbackdated increase of 1 per cent, with another 1 per cent later this year. They are asking for backdated pay as well as time in lieu for days spent on professional development courses.

The strike is due to end tomorrow morning.

- © Fairfax NZ News