THIRTY-one cases of elective surgery have been cancelled across WA hospitals because of industrial action from hospital support staff

Health Department director general Kim Snowball said 13 cases had been cancelled at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital while 18 had been cancelled at Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital.

"This is very serious and is the result of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union’s escalation of work bans,” Mr Snowball said.

"Up until now our hospitals have been able to manage; however, these escalated work bans are now targeting our operating theatres and having a direct impact on our patients.

"I have asked for the executive directors of Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner and Fremantle Hospitals to attend the Industrial Relations Commission this afternoon to describe first hand the clinical impact that targeting hospital theatres is having on our patients."



Hospital support staff launched work bans last week as part of their campaign for better pay and conditions.

They are also seeking a guarantee the government will not privatise their jobs.



Comments on this story

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     Ron of Corrigin Posted at 7:22 PM October 22, 2010

         Barnett is a serial privatizer he gets this of the Courts. Liberal party motto If it moves sell it. that means the liberal party will never be sold because the libs don't move.

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     John Posted at 4:52 PM October 22, 2010

         Just wondering if you guys know that the protest is also about stopping privatisation of hospitals in WA. Also sir when you were in hospital six weeks ago did you go down to the catering department and see them working and doing the jobs of cleaning, sorting, throwing rubbish out and then organising again for your food. Just think if the hospital gets privatised then you will get a set meal with no choice and will have to lump it.

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     heath Posted at 4:45 PM October 22, 2010

         How essential a part of the whole system are the support workers , if surgery cant be performed without them? Do you want to clean up after surgery? Their work is important , obvious from the cancellations , or is it something else?