Dear Member,

NSW Health Pathology has announced it will not attempt an amalgamation of pediatric pathology or co-location with pathology staff at Westmead Children’s Hospital, after HSU members stood together and fought back.

Ten years ago, NSW Health Pathology first announced a plan to integrate the unit with pediatric pathology at Westmead Children’s Hospital. HSU members banded together to fight the change – and won!

In September 2022, SCHN and NSWHP commenced a review of paediatric pathology services in NSW. After both SCHN and NSWHP failed to be transparent about their intentions toward the paediatric pathology service, HSU members stood together once more to make it clear they would not allow their specialised skills and experience in paediatric pathology to be compromised by amalgamating or co-locating with NSWHP staff.

Since then, HSU members have engaged in a long and thorough consultation process with both NSW Health Pathology and Sydney Children’s Hospital Network. HSU members lent their advice, expertise, and experience to provide extensive feedback to both agencies on how to improve paediatric pathology in NSW.

With consultation finished, NSW Health Pathology has now announced its intentions to implement a series of recommendations made by the working groups involved in the project. Key recommendations include the establishment of a “paediatric pathology community of practice” between NSWHP and SCHN and several recommendations relating to paediatric collections services in both metro and rural areas.

These recommendations do not involve NSWHP amalgamating or co-locating with paediatric pathology staff at CHW – and that is because HSU members came together and stood strong!

You can read the full outcome letter HERE.

Congratulations to all members involved in the consultation process for working together to protect your skills and training!

If you’d like to learn more about the future of the Improving Paediatric Pathology Project, please reach out to your local delegate or contact your organiser Kate at [E-Mail not displayed].

Do you know someone who isn’t an HSU member? Encourage them to join our Union today and have a say at work. We are always stronger when we stand together.

 New members can join at www.hsu.asn.au/join or call 1300 478 679.