(Alberta Health Services)

By Justin Goulet

AHS issues Request for Proposals for laundry services

Oct 23, 2020 | 10:48 AM

EDMONTON, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for third party providers interested in taking over responsibility of laundry services across the province.

Earlier this month, Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced that about 9,700 positions within AHS would be cut, with jobs outsourced and contracted out in sectors such as laundry, community labs, housekeeping and food services.

READ MORE: Health Minister details jobs cuts at Alberta Health Services

“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,” Shandro said in a release from AHS.

The president and CEO of AHS, Dr. Verna Yiu, said that a contracted model will help establish a sustainable service, “while eliminating risk that our current outdated laundry infrastructure poses”.

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Alberta Health Services anticipates the RFP process to last about four months, including a full review of all proposals received.

“Through this RFP process, AHS is providing all potential vendors with a fair and transparent process to share proposals for the provision of laundry services,” said Mauro Chies, Vice President of Cancer Care Alberta and Clinical Support Services.

“This process will result in a contract for high-quality laundry services now and in the future, and that value will directly benefit patient care.”

AHS noted that more than two-thirds of laundry services are currently provided by a third party in the province, including all laundry services in Calgary (urban) and Edmonton.

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

“Laundry Services plays an important role in the delivery of effective patient care,” Dr. Yiu stated.

“This RFP will allow for much-needed investment in this area, while ensuring AHS can focus on high priority areas.”

Alberta Health Services said the transition will impact about 428 full-time, part-time and casual employees. AHS said it’s committed to working with those employees and their unions during the transition process and anticipates there will be some job opportunities with the new vendor(s).