DOZENS of Pathology Queensland staff enjoyed the delights of Darwin this week while their union complains cuts could cripple services.

The Courier-Mail can reveal that 76 staff from Queensland Health's pathology arm took off to the Top End for an annual conference, with $200,000 of their costs covered by taxpayers.

The four-day conference comes amid union warnings the LNP Government's plans to cut about 100 pathology staff would impact patients.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg yesterday described the number of Queensland Health employees attending the one conference as "eye opening".

However, Mr Springborg said he was not aware of any impact the en masse absence of staff had on services.

However, Together Union secretary Alex Scott said it was a "furphy" for Mr Springborg to claim Pathology Queensland would not be impacted by job cuts if it could cater for conferences.

Mr Scott said 76 was just a fraction of the 1600 pathology workforce and more staff should have attended.

"If we had staff cuts we wouldn't have had people at this conference and the health system as a result would be worse off."

Queensland's contingent to the four-day conference included three pathologists, 23 phlebotomists and laboratory assistants and 50 scientists.

Staged by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, the conference came complete with a cocktail function and a special dinner at the Darwin Sailing Club.

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Health junket for 76 costs taxpayers $200k