Laboratory staff facing unemployment

Nineteen Medlab Gisborne staff are pondering their futures after learning that laboratory services in the area will be provided by Australian-owed Tlab.

Tairawhiti District Health Board chose Tlab on Friday. It is a joint venture between Medlab Central - a subsidiary of Australian-owned Sonic Healthcare - and Tairawhiti Laboratory Service.

Medlab Gisborne manager Janet Willson said she was shocked. "We put in what we believed to be a very competitive proposal."

Health board chairwoman Ingrid Collins said choosing Tlab would save about $1 million a year - a saving Ms Willson believed Medlab Gisborne's proposal also delivered. Medlab Gisborne's contract expires on August 31.

- NZPA