Frustrated radiologists at one of Adelaide’s major public hospitals have begun industrial action over what they say are unsustainable workload demands.
The Public Service Association (PSA) said a lack of staff at the Flinders Medical Centre meant CT radiologists were forced to work full day shifts and then remain on call overnight, with insufficient rest and recovery breaks.
The industrial action involves a dozen radiologists, and includes not completing paperwork and not answering phones after hours and on weekends.
The union warned the action could escalate because staff were at “breaking point”.
“For some reason, Flinders wasn’t provided with a 24-hour service and instead, people are on call,” PSA general secretary Nev Kitchin said.
“For at least the last five to 10 years, there’s been no increase in funding.
“In other hospitals, they actually have people who are available at work 24 hours a day, but at Flinders they don’t.”
Mr Kitchin said the problem was being made worse because of the ageing population.
The union said the number of patients accessing CT medical imaging had increased by 104 per cent over the past five years during some shifts.
In a statement, SA Health said it was aware of the industrial action “by some medical imaging staff” but said there was “currently no impact on patient care”.
“We are working with industrial bodies to resolve the issues at the earliest opportunity,” the department said.