Hospital Laundry Service Contracted Out

Posted on 3/1/2016 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Interior Health has decided to contract out laundry services. The agency's board has announced a 20-year agreement with Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service to provide the majority of linen and laundry services through a centralized Kelowna-based facility, supported by regional distribution centres. "Ecotex is an experienced British Columbia based laundry service company and has provided laundry and laundry services for Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Provincial Health Services, and Providence Health Care among other clients," says an Interior Health news release. Board chair Erwin Malzer says a clear case exists to proceed with outsourcing laundry services at their major facilities, which he says will produce a savings of about $35 million over the life of the contract. He says I-H will be able to increase investment in facilities and equipment to support direct patient care. The Hospital Employees Union has opposed privatizing the services, claiming it will cost 175 jobs including 17 for the staff who provide the service at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. I-H says the following sites where laundry services are currently provided will be affected: Kelowna General Hospital, Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson, Penticton Regional Hospital, Vernon Jubilee Hospital, and Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. "A total of 93 full-time equivalent positions will be impacted by the decision. Interior Health will work closely with the affected employees and the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) to ensure a smooth transition of the service to Ecotex by Summer 2017," says an Interior Health news release.