Arrangements to cope with industrial action by medical radiation technologists (MRTs) at Otago District Health Board have gone smoothly so far.
Board diagnostic and support services group manager Sonja Dillon said one call had been made for life-preserving cover while the technologists were offering limited overnight service.
Decisions to call in a technologist in such circumstances involved discussion between the relevant consultants and a radiologist making the approach to the technologist, she said.
The industrial action resulted in rescheduling 50 radiology or mammography appointments.
Bookings were not taken for a further 262 appointments.
The action, involving the 51 MRTs withdrawing labour for all services for two hours on three days this week and limiting overnight cover, will end tomorrow morning.
The technologists, who are members of the Association of Professional and Executive Employees (Apex), are seeking a 3% pay increase.
District Health Boards New Zealand has offered no increase, and technologists say their increased productivity is not being recognised.
About 800 technologists around the country are taking industrial action this month in a variety of ways.
