Queensland’s Mater outsources pathology, affecting 400-plus jobs
- Mater’s pathology switch will affect more than 400 staff over 12 to 18 months.
- More than 100 positions will go in the next two months, Mater said.
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Pathology Queensland are among the incoming providers.
- Mater hospitals in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Gold Coast are unaffected.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — Mater is moving pathology services at its Brisbane and Springfield hospitals to external providers, a change that will affect more than 400 staff at Mater Pathology.
Part-time, full-time and casual employees will be affected over the next 12 to 18 months, with more than 100 positions to go in the next two months.
Costs outpace Medicare subsidies
Mater blamed rising costs for the decision, saying Medicare subsidies have not kept pace with increasing financial pressures over the past decade, ABC News reported on Nov. 2.
Mater said the transition will affect more than 400 employees, and a spokesperson said more than 100 positions will be lost in the next two months.
Most of the remaining positions will end in 2027, the report said.
Specialist providers take over testing
Under the new model, pathology services at the Brisbane and Springfield hospitals will be delivered through specialist providers. Those include Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Pathology Queensland.
The change will not affect Mater hospitals in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg or the Gold Coast. Those hospitals already rely on external pathology service providers.
Spokesperson defends the switch
The decision would have “no impact on the high-quality care Mater patients receive,” a Mater spokesperson said.
“The pathology model Mater is adopting is used by private hospital operators across Australia and will allow more resources to be directed to the clinical care of our patients,” the spokesperson said.
A message to pathology staff
“We are deeply grateful to our Mater Pathology people,” the spokesperson said.
“This decision is not a reflection on their capability, professionalism or commitment,” the spokesperson added.
What it means for providers
After the switch, Mater’s Brisbane and Springfield hospitals will rely on external pathology providers, as its hospitals in five other Queensland locations already do.
Mater has framed the change as a response to rising costs that will free more resources for clinical care.
Hospital operators weighing healthcare outsourcing of diagnostic work can note that Mater is spreading the testing across more than one specialist provider. OA’s top BPO companies in Australia list is a starting point for comparing outsourcing partners.
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