Arabic version: إسناد خدمات علم الأمراض لدى ماتر إلى جهات خارجية يؤثر في أكثر من 400 وظيفة

According to ABC News, Mater’s move to external pathology providers is expected to affect more than 400 part-time, full-time and casual employees in Brisbane and Springfield over the next 12 to 18 months.

More than 100 positions at Mater Pathology will be lost in the next two months, while most remaining positions are expected to end in 2027. The announcement was made a month before Christmas.

Mater attributed the decision to rising costs, saying Medicare subsidies had not kept pace with increasing financial pressures during the past decade.

Under the new model, specialist providers including Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Pathology Queensland will deliver pathology services at Mater’s Brisbane and Springfield hospitals. Mater hospitals in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and the Gold Coast are not affected because they already use external pathology providers.

A Mater spokesperson said the change would have “no impact on the high-quality care Mater patients receive” and would allow more resources to be directed to clinical care. The spokesperson said the decision was not a reflection on the capability, professionalism or commitment of Mater Pathology staff.