East Lancashire blood testing disruption continues as pathology staff extend strike action

Industrial action involving blood sciences staff at two Lancashire hospitals has been extended by a further 20 days, prolonging disruption to pathology services across East Lancashire.

Unite members working within blood sciences at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital and Burnley General Teaching Hospital are taking further strike action across four five-day periods, running from 10 August until 4 September.

The latest action follows previous strikes throughout June and July.

The dispute relates to the calculation of holiday pay. According to NHS information provided to patients, Agenda for Change contains nationally agreed arrangements covering pay and annual leave calculations, with discussions taking place involving NHS Employers, legal advisers and the Department of Health and Social Care over whether a national response is required.

The industrial action is affecting the capacity of blood sciences laboratories at both hospitals, which receive samples from GP practices, hospital wards, emergency departments and other clinical services.

Around 3,000 blood tests from GP practices in East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen are normally sent to the Blackburn and Burnley blood sciences departments each day for processing.

During the strikes, GP practices have a reduced range of routine blood tests available. Urgent samples, including those relating to cancer and other clinically urgent conditions, can continue to be sent for testing alongside a limited number of routine samples.

Hospitals are also maintaining as much urgent activity as possible, although routine outpatient and domiciliary blood testing capacity is limited.

The disruption primarily affects patients across East Lancashire, including Pendle, Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Rossendale and parts of Ribble Valley.

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Pathology Service is exploring options to increase processing capacity during the industrial action.

Patients whose blood tests have been postponed are being advised that their GP practice will contact them to rearrange appointments once additional capacity becomes available.

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