Lord Carter notes in his report on pathology in the NHS that particularly for biochemistry and haematology where automation has grown, productivity has also grown. This is reflected in the NHS where over fives years to 1999 – 2000 a 53% increase in biochemistry requests were undertaken with a decrease on 9% in staffing levels. Lord Carter notes that there is little information internationally to compare productivity levels.
Lord carter notes that the skill requirements of the laboratory workforce are changing due to technology change and change to multidisciplinary patient care models.
The aging laboratory workforce in the NHS is noted as a trend and a potential risk.
Chapman etal. note that in the United States there has been a downturn in the numbers of people wishing to pursue a career in medical laboratory technology. A number of factors are noted as the potential drivers of this trend, limited wage growth, lack of opportunities for career growth and a lack of public recognition of the value of the profession.
It may be reasonable to assume that the findings in the United Kingdom and the United States are equally applicable to New Zealand.
Pathologists
The New Zealand Committee of Pathologists workforce summary analysis 2007 (http://www.rcpanz.org.nz/Documents/index.htm) notes that:
1. The total number of pathologists in New Zealand has remained similar over the past 5 years. However, the number of Full Time Equivalents have dropped by 7%.
2. The number of trainee positions has remained static.
3. A small number (between 5 and 10 per annum) of international graduates come to New Zealand.
4. There is no record of the number of pathologists who have headed overseas to work.
5. There is an international shortage of pathologists. The Australian Pathology Workforce Report (June 2007) states that the area is in crisis.
6. New Zealand’s population growth has effectively reduced the number of pathologists per head of population.
7. The number of pathologists per head of population in New Zealand, 1 per 20,000, is less than that in Australia, 1 per 15,925.
8. The above trends and numbers differ at the specific discipline levels.
Laboratory Scientists and Technicians
No reliable information on this part of the workforce in New Zealand has been found.