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News
Protestors rally against decision
Thursday, 28 September 2006
By CANDICE REED
• Howick and Pakuranga Times
HUNDREDS of protesters gathered outside a Counties Manukau District Health Board meeting on Tuesday as Diagnostic Medlab continued its fight over the awarding of a multi-million dollar contract to a rival company.
Howick GP John Malcomson and Diagnostic Medlab haematology service manager Ross Anderson. Times photo Candice Reed.
Representatives from outgoing lab service provider, the New Zealand Nurse’s Organisation and the Northern Chemical Workers’ Union protested outside the board’s community and public health advisory committee meeting against Labtests takeover next July.
The Australian-owned company won the eight-year contract worth $560 million ahead of Diagnostic Medlab, which has provided lab services for over 70 years.
Howick GP John Malcomson and Diagnostic Medlab haematology service manager Ross Anderson presented petitions signed by more than 100,000 Auckland residents to Counties Manukau District Health Board.
Diagnostic Medlab is seeking a judicial review of the multi million-dollar contract awarded by Auckland district health boards. This latest action follows a similar protest outside Auckland District Health Board last month. Despite the community outcry, Labtests says it is on-track to take over services July next year.
Dr Malcomson says the contract decision is “destructive”, “irrational” and will “serve the population badly”. He believes the protests will make a difference.
“There are 100,000 people who have signed the petition,” Dr Malcomson says. “I don’t know a single GP in Auckland who is for the new contract. None of my patients are for it, in fact they are all appalled.”
Acting chief executive Ron Dunham says the board was not surprised at the protest or petition presentation. “We are currently undergoing a judicial review of the process, but this (protest) will not influence that process,” Mr Dunham says. “We listened to what the protesters had to say, but at this stage the only outstanding matter is the judicial review and we are proceeding with that.”
The petition will be passed onto CMDHB members.
