Offer could halt hospital strike

A counter offer from radiologists could prevent a planned 24-hour strike, but only if district health boards take it up.

Last week medical radiation technologists (MRTs) said "bully tactics" by DHBs had led to the planned nationwide September 7 strike that would "wreak havoc" in hospitals across the country.

The strike would affect Waikato, Thames and Taumarunui hospitals within the Waikato District Health Board region.

Association of Professional and Executive Employers (APEX) spokesperson Robyn Slater said while MRTs were now in agreement with their employers over a pay offer of 1 per cent now and a further 1 per cent in October, there were still several issues "under contention".

"Those issues include the backdating of the pay offer to the time when the MRTs agreement ended (October 2009) and seeking pay parity for sonographers," Mrs Slater said.

Other issues include lieu time for members undertaking professional development in their own time.

Earlier last week Counties Manukau and Auckland DHBs suspended workers who had engaged in "work to rule" industrial action, a move Ms Slater described as "bullying".

If next week's strike goes ahead it will have a major effect on Waikato services and could impact on patients from as far away as Gisborne who require MRT services.

Health Waikato chief operating officer Jan Adams said industrial action so far had led to a "reduction in productivity" between 13 and 18 per cent throughout Waikato DHB hospitals.

"It is putting pressure on waiting lists, elective surgeries and causing concern both at a local and national level," Mrs Adams said.

The radiology action has also placed pressure on the hospital's emergency department. At a Health Waikato Advisory Committee meeting last week ED clinical director Dr John Bonning said the industrial action was having an impact.

"In some cases patients are having to wait seven to 10 hours for radiology to carry out diagnostics such as CT scans which is creating a huge problem."

- © Fairfax NZ News