DOZENS of Pathology Queensland staff enjoyed the delights of Darwin this week while their union complains cuts could cripple services. <\/p>\n
The Courier-Mail can reveal that 76 staff from Queensland Health's pathology arm took off to the Top End for an annual conference, with $200,000 of their costs covered by taxpayers. <\/p>\n
The four-day conference comes amid union warnings the LNP Government's plans to cut about 100 pathology staff would impact patients. <\/p>\n
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg yesterday described the number of Queensland Health employees attending the one conference as \"eye opening\". <\/p>\n
However, Mr Springborg said he was not aware of any impact the en masse absence of staff had on services. <\/p>\n
However, Together Union secretary Alex Scott said it was a \"furphy\" for Mr Springborg to claim Pathology Queensland would not be impacted by job cuts if it could cater for conferences. <\/p>\n
Mr Scott said 76 was just a fraction of the 1600 pathology workforce and more staff should have attended. <\/p>\n
\"If we had staff cuts we wouldn't have had people at this conference and the health system as a result would be worse off.\" <\/p>\n
Queensland's contingent to the four-day conference included three pathologists, 23 phlebotomists and laboratory assistants and 50 scientists. <\/p>\n
Staged by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, the conference came complete with a cocktail function and a special dinner at the Darwin Sailing Club. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Read more from the original source: DOZENS of Pathology Queensland staff enjoyed the delights of Darwin this week while their union complains cuts could cripple services. The Courier-Mail can reveal that 76 staff from Queensland Health's pathology arm took off to the Top End for an annual conference, with $200,000 of their costs covered by taxpayers. The four-day conference comes amid union warnings the LNP Government's plans to cut about 100 pathology staff would impact patients Continue reading
\nHealth junket for 76 costs taxpayers $200k<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"