Notification of Industrial Action has been received for a partial withdrawal of services by APEX union members at Awanui Labs Canterbury from Thursday 12 June until further notice 2025.
The industrial action will impact referrers and patients as per below:
Biochemistry
- No Test Adds will be processed. A new specimen and request will be required for additional tests.
- Please restrict URINE tests
- DO NOT submit urine samples for routine biochemistry tests. This includes both random and 24-hour urine collections. Testing will be declined for routine requests.
- Urgent Urine requests and requests for urine samples on pregnant patients will be processed, if clear clinical details are provided
Microbiology
- Genital swab results for Candid and BV may be delayed.
- HPV and STI (Chlamydia, N. gonorrhoea, Trichomonas and Herpes) swabs are not affected.
- Only submit specimens when laboratory diagnosis is required, and ensure relevant clinical details are provided.
- Where possible, treat empirically.
Histology
- Turnaround times may be extended and results delayed.
Call Centre
- Email non-urgent general enquiries cscl.enquiries@awanuilabs.co.nz
- Expect longer than usual wait times if you need to call the call centre.
Collection centres
- Wait times may be longer than usual.
- Collection centres may close at short notice.
- Advise patients to use the online booking system to make a blood collection booking – Awanui Labs Booking
As always, we thank you for your continued understanding and support.