‘Significant disruption’ is expected at hospitals across the country today as laboratory scientists take part in strike action.

Around 2,100 medical scientists are down tools between 8am and 8pm today in a dispute over “longstanding pay and career development issues”.

The strike will disrupt hospital services throughout the day, with many appointments and procedures cancelled.

The HSE said Emergency Departments will continue operating as normal – with patients who need urgent treatment prioritised.

Patients whose treatment is not urgent are being warned to expect further delays.

Meanwhile, Dialysis and some cancer services will continue.

"No alternative"

The Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) has said it has been “left with no alternative” after many rounds of unsuccessful talks.

Some 98% of its members supported the strike in a ballot last November.

The HSE’s Director of Acute Operations Liam Woods told Newstalk procedures are being cancelled countrywide.

“We expect today’s action by laboratory scientists to have a significant impact on hospitals, including emergency departments,” he said.

“Perhaps the biggest impact will be on planned work or elective work as it is referred to and patients whose work is being cancelled or postponed for today will be notified and have been notified in the last day or so.”

"Very disabling"

He said significant disruptions are also expected in emergency care.

“The impact is really very disabling,” he said.

“Where testing isn’t available services can’t be provided and we face a real challenge because of that.

“There will be I think some delay in emergency departments and we will be asking patient to first attend GPs where that is feasible for them.

“The action lasts from 8am to 8pm today so we expect that will cause quite a bit of disruption across services.”

"Huge frustration and burnout"

MLSA Chair Kevin O'Boyle said there is "huge frustration and burnout" among medical scientists due to severe recruitment and retention issues.

He said up to 20% of medical scientist posts remain unfilled in Irish hospitals.

Meanwhile, medical scientists are paid on average 8% les than their laboratory colleagues who carry out identical work.

Mr O’Boyle said medical scientists are also offered fewer career development opportunities and less support for training and education.

Five further days of action are planned if no progress is made.

There are two days next week (May 24th and 25th) and three days the week after (May 31st, June 1st and June 2nd).

Procedures

The HSE says many of the following appointments and procedures have been cancelled

• Inpatient and day-case elective procedures, including endoscopy, orthopaedics, day case procedures
• Hospital outpatient appointments for adults and children
• Maternity appointments
• Routine GP testing services

Hospitals will contact patients directly about cancelled appointments.