Tararanki District Health Board has finally put the brakes on its attempt to privatize its hospital laboratory

Senior doctors are relieved that the Tararanki District Health Board “has finally put the brakes on its attempt to privatize its hospital laboratory after dragging its heels on the matter,” says Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS). “ASMS was taking legal action against Taranaki DHB on this matter with the Employment Relations Authority because the laboratory service is so critical to clinical decision-making of hospital specialists and the provision of quality care to patients. In trying to push privatization through, the DHB breached its engagement obligations under our national collective agreement.”