Awanui Labs has been issued with a strike notice from the APEX union of intended action by its members for Wednesday 5 February and Friday 7 February 2025.
There will be a reduction of services on this date.
Patients are encouraged to check our website (refer to www.awanuilabs.co.nz for collection centre closures) and should expect delays at those Awanui collection centres which are open on Wednesday 5 February and Friday 7 February 2025..
Where possible, you should encourage your patients to have their tests done either prior to or after the strike.
We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause you and your patients and assure you we are doing our best to minimise the impact of this industrial action.
Collection centres open on strike days
Bell Block: 8.00am – 4.30pm
Stratford : 8.00am – 4.00pm
Courier Services
New Plymouth medical centres will receive courier pick ups from Awanui Lab couriers, however times may vary from the usual schedule. Medical Centres using NZ Courier services will run to the usual schedule.
Home visits
Phlebotomy services which have been previously arranged will operate as normal.
Laboratory Services
The Microbiology and Molecular Pathology departments will have significantly reduced staffing levels during the days affected by the strike. To help maintain turnaround times for urgent testing we ask that:
- Requesters should reduce the amount of microbiology samples collected and sent to the laboratory on Tuesday 4 February.
- Please defer testing or use empiric treatment to manage common community infections where possible.
- See HealthPathways and the ‘diagnostic’ app (https://tinyurl.com/yckhve2h) for advice.