NPAAC Draft Document - Complete opposition - Supervision of Pathology Laboratories

We, the undersigned Medical Scientists, hereby declare our complete opposition to certain changes proposed by the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council’s (NPAAC) revised framework for effective supervision of pathology testing outlined in its recent draft publication, “Requirements for the Supervision of Pathology Laboratories”, dated November 2010.

These changes would prevent Medical Scientists with suitable qualifications and experience from occupying a role as a Laboratory Director or Department Head for Category G and associated laboratories. This would adversely impact upon Medical Scientists currently employed in these positions, impose an unprecedented career ceiling upon all Medical Scientists employed in Public and Private Health Laboratory Services across Australia, restrict the ability of experienced Medical Scientists to educate and encourage younger scientists and it would lower the morale of the whole profession.

Australian Medical Scientists have been instrumental in developing, adapting and applying new advances in Science to improve health care for all Australians, and have been very reliable, hard working and innovative. We remind you of the coming workforce crisis in Australian Medical Science Laboratories anticipated for later in this decade and that other Western Countries including Great Britain and the United Stares have not imposed any such career restrictions upon their Medical Scientists.