Cardiac physiologists and neurophysiology scientists at the Royal Hobart Hospital will walk off the job for one hour today as part of an ongoing dispute over wages.
The specialists, who carry out heart ultrasounds and run tests on patients’ nervous systems, say they are the lowest paid in the country despite the critical nature of their work.
“These workers are underpaid, overworked and undervalued by the Rockliff-Abetz Liberal government,” HACSU president Lauren Vanier said.
The union says cardiac physiologists are also contending with staffing shortages, putting extra pressure on those still on the roster and leading to delays in vital patient care.
Workers want Premier Jeremy Rockliff to return to the bargaining table with a better offer on wages and conditions than the current 3%.
But the premier has defended the government’s record on health spending and performance.
“We’re investing $10 million a day and every single day into our health system in Tasmania,” he said.
Rockliff pointed to 22,500 elective surgeries completed last year as proof the system is performing strongly.
“[That’s] another record that we are doing well and our clinicians and our health professionals are doing very well under difficult circumstances,” he said.
Cardiac physiologists perform echocardiograms and help manage implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers.
Neurophysiology scientists carry out standardised tests that assess central nervous system function, work that plays a crucial role in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Vanier said the strike reflects growing frustration over the recruitment and retention crisis in these specialised roles.
