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By Chris Brown

More than 400 employees to be affected

AHS issues request for proposals for laundry services

Oct 23, 2020 | 11:37 AM

Alberta Health Services has issued a request for proposal for third-party providers that want to take over laundry services across the province.

Earlier this month, Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced that 9,700 jobs will be contracted out for private-sector delivery. Some of those jobs were to be through previously announced initiatives in areas such as laundry and lab services.

In a release today, AHS says the transition of laundry services to a third-party vendor will affect 428 full-time, part-time and casual employees and that it is committed to working with them and their unions throughout this process. AHS also anticipates there will be some opportunities for employment with the new vendor(s).

“AHS is working hard to find efficiencies and savings within the health system to fund growth and improve service delivery to Albertans. Alberta’s government fully supports these efforts,” says Tyler Shandro, minister of health, in a release. “By reinvesting savings from initiatives such as contracting out laundry services into the health system, we can improve patient care and ensure Albertans are provided with the best possible health care.”

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The process is expected to take about four months, including a full review of all proposals received, says AHS. The timeline for implementation will depend on which third-party vendor or vendors is selected.

More than two-thirds of laundry services are already provided by a third party in Alberta, including all laundry services in both Calgary (urban) and Edmonton.

AHS says a full transition to a third-party provider will eliminate the need to spend more than $38 million in upgrades that would otherwise be immediately necessary to laundry infrastructure and will allow for the reinvestment of health-care dollars into direct patient care.

“Laundry Services plays an important role in the delivery of effective patient care,” says Dr. Verna Yiu, President and CEO, AHS.. “This RFP will allow for much-needed investment in this area, while ensuring AHS can focus on high priority areas.”