Hospitals in the country's western region have moved to outsourcing the investigation of blood tests to private facilities as medical technologists remain off the job for a second day.
The medical technologists at Cornwall Regional, Falmouth and Savanna-la-Mar hospitals are upset about longstanding concerns over their welfare and working conditions.
This group of workers perform critical blood investigations that support the work of clinicians in diagnosing and treating patients.
Dr. Delroy Fray, Clinical coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), says persons awaiting blood test results should expect delays until normal operations resume.
The medical technologists are represented by the Union of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (UTASP).