Liverpool hospital lab workers set to strike
Unite says understaffing and burnout is putting patients at risk
Over 50 Liverpool hospital lab workers are set to go on strike later this month over patient safety fears.
Workers, responsible for testing samples at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, will walkout over concerns that burnout and understaffing is putting patients at risk.
Unite says issues with poor staff retention and workers often being unable to arrange sufficient rest time to spend with their families has led to members striking for this action, because they fear patients' lives will be at risk without change.
The union says its members are especially worried that overworking can put them at high risk of making mistakes, and that short staffing means test results are taking far longer than they should, which is potentially leaving patients exposed to fatal injections such as sepsis.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
"The situation with test results at Liverpool University Hospitals is becoming dangerous - and our members are not prepared to stand back and put patients' lives at risk.
"Liverpool Clinical Laboratories need to wake up to what workers are telling them and realise the gravity of the situation. Our members have the full, unwavering support of Unite throughout this dispute."
Regional Officer Derek Jones said:
"Our members at Liverpool Clinical Laboratories care deeply about their patients and feel they have no choice but to strike due to the gravity of the situation, as management have chronically dismissed their concerns.
"Management need to sit and up and listen to our members. They are seeking a clear commitment that Liverpool Clinical Laboratories will recruit more staff, who are experienced and have adequate training."