500 medical scientists set to lose jobs

MORE than 500 medical scientists may lose their jobs within the next 18 months as part of controversial reforms by the Health Service Executive (HSE) of the country’s hospital laboratory system.

The Academy of Medical Laboratory Science (AMLS) claims the HSE is planning to start processing GPs’ patients’ tests in three automated laboratories in different parts of the country within the next 12-18 months.

In addition hospitals’ testing functions will be cut back so that they are only carried out in a select number of hospitals.