Notification of Industrial Action has been received for a partial withdrawal of services by APEX union members at Awanui Labs Southern from Thursday 29 May until further notice 2025.
Note: Dates extended from previous notice.
Click on the region below for more information on how the industrial action will impact referrers and patients:
Otago
Microbiology
- Defer sending bacterial genital swabs. HPV and STI (Chlamydia, N. gonorrhoea, Trichomonas and Herpes) swabs are not affected.
- If you have a clinically urgent request, please discuss with our on-call microbiologist. They can be contacted via AwanuiConnect
- Where possible, treat empirically.
Processing
- No Test Adds will be processed during the period 00:01hrs 29 May until further notice. You will need to request additional tests with a new specimen.
- Routine specimens received without a request form will not be processed. A repeat specimen with a request form will need to be submitted – exceptions are Histology, Cytology, and precious specimens.
- Phone calls – calls direct to departments using direct dial numbers or extensions may not be answered, callers may experience longer wait times.
Collection centres
- Collection centres may not be able to process payments
- Phones calls may not be answered
- Advise patients to use the online booking system to make a blood collection booking – Awanui Labs Booking.
Southland
Microbiology
- Defer sending bacterial genital swabs. HPV and STI (Chlamydia, N. gonorrhoea, Trichomonas and Herpes) swabs are not affected.
- If you have a clinically urgent request, please discuss with our on-call microbiologist. They can be contacted via AwanuiConnect
- Where possible, treat empirically.
Processing
- Phone calls will not be answered between 1130 to 1230hrs. Please call outside of these hours.
Collection centres
- Wait times may be longer than usual.
- 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.