What is a Medical Scientist? A thread. Please note, it doesn't have to be this way. @HSELive have the power to change.

That is why Medical Scientists went on strike 2 years ago, and the issue remains unresolved. So we will join our colleagues from @INMO_IRL and @forsa_union_ie in balloting our members for industrial action. Because the risk to patients is too high if we don't.

The Department of Health/ HSE have made permanent the crippling understaffing of hospital laboratories, and Medical Scientists will not stand for it. Current staffing levels in laboratories represents a major risk to patient care in our hospitals.

Without consultation with any healthcare union, the HSE have this year implemented their pay and numbers strategy. Any positions that were empty last new year's are now considered null and void. What vacancies? You don't have any vacancies. Congratulations.

Within a year, the HSE had withdrawn the funding for an agreed trainee medical scientist scheme and introduced a moratorium on hiring staff. Meaning laboratories have not had the chance to replenish our scientific staff. If anything, things are worse.

Due to a gross disparity between the pay scales of Medical Scientists and equivalent scientists in the public sector, we were able to secure an 8% increase in the starting pay for new graduates. In the hope we could recruit them.

Medical Scientists went on strike in 2022 due to a recruitment and retention crisis in the profession. The first full industrial action in our union's 60 year history. @MedLabAssoc @BrianOD_News @roinnslainte https://t.co/n2ZsujW0sD

#labcon2024

https://t.co/Zww7Jvs70Q

If anyone spots a turtle with a copy of Romance double vinyl strapped to its back, slowly making it's way from London to Holyhead, give me a shout. That'll be the album I pre-ordered months ago. @fontainesdublin, you need to get someone else to look after your merch.

HSE told of ‘small number’ of non-regulated staff in medical scientist posts @MedLabAssoc @ACSLM1 @kevoboyle @CORUIreland #laboratorymedicine https://t.co/3RSyl7XyJq

HSE told of ‘small number’ of non-regulated staff in medical scientist posts @MedLabAssoc @ACSLM1 @kevoboyle @CORUIreland #laboratorymedicine https://t.co/3RSyl7XyJq

@kevoboyle @med_indonews @MedLabAssoc @ACSLM1 @CORUIreland We were promised graduate entry jobs this year. Our graduates, who have just completed their research projects in our labs interviewed, got placed on a panel, only to be told the jobs don't actually exist... Despite us being chronically understaffed! Gutted for them and us!

The new Oxera report shows biomedical scientists save the NHS up to £571m a year through a single healthcare pathway! With 95% of clinical pathways relying on their expertise, they truly are #AtTheHeartOfHealthcare https://t.co/ohAXQyc5Wb #BiomedicalScienceDay2024

@JohnCrumlish2 @kevoboyle @paulmurphy_TD @pb4p Down at the bottom of the page…I’ve already done so

MAIN FEATURE: Catherine Reilly examines the growing pressures in laboratory medicine and the potential solutions, with a special focus on #histopathology https://t.co/J0jMf4N2cp @MedLabAssoc @ACSLM1 @kevoboyle @RCPI_new @CORUIreland @hseNCCP #laboratorymedicine #pathology

‘Severe staffing crisis’ in laboratory medicine – HSE review @MedLabAssoc @ACSLM1 @kevoboyle @RCPI_new @CORUIreland #laboratorymedicine #pathology https://t.co/CeVDfmIxDa

Laboratory medicine under the microscope - Medical Independent

Our hearts were full last Saturday as we celebrated our 50th Anniversary with friends and colleagues. Just some of the days photos are attached. Keep an eye on https://t.co/eg6Q23J32Q and the next edition of Converse in the coming weeks for more! #acslm #medicalscience #50years

Happy HSCP Day 2024! And we have lift off! Jackie Reed, National HSCP Lead/HSCP Advisor to HSE CEO, highlighting the collective impact of HSCP working in partnership to deliver integrated care. #HSCPDay2024 #HSCPDeliver #Integratedcare

Very excited to take up a new position next Monday as delivery manager for the @HSEMedLIS project in Beaumont Hospital. Beaumont will be the first hospital in Ireland to implement the new, national laboratory IT system.